Beijing is a metropolis famend for its iconic sights. After we final visited in 2019, our journey included seeing the Forbidden Metropolis, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer season Palace.
To be sincere, we didn’t even know there was a Drum and Bell Tower in Beijing, which in actuality is loopy since a lot of these monuments are well-known in different cities like Xi’an.
Nevertheless, on the far finish of the central axis in Beijing, nestled away from the crowds of the Forbidden Metropolis and Tiananmen Sq., are two of probably the most underrated historic websites within the metropolis, the Beijing Drum Tower and the Bell Tower. The 2 towers performed an necessary half within the working day in historic imperial Beijing.
Traditionally, the Drum and Bell Towers have been used to mark time. Bells have been rung at daybreak, and drums have been crushed at nightfall, serving to to control day by day life and actions throughout town.
On this weblog publish, we’ll discover these fascinating landmarks and why they deserve a spot in your Beijing itinerary.
The Drum Tower in Beijing
The Drum Tower, constructed within the twelfth century, is a shocking instance of historic Chinese language structure.
The constructing has some fascinating shows positioned over two flooring on this gorgeous constructing. Simply as a phrase of warning, there are over 70 steps which are very steep and wish climbing to entry the second flooring.
Our household was huffing and puffing after we reached the highest. When you’ve got mobility points or are in a wheelchair, there isn’t a technique to entry this space. Listed here are some highlights of what you possibly can count on throughout your go to:
– UNESCO World Heritage Web site: The Drum Tower and the Bell Tower have been not too long ago added to the UNESCO World Heritage Checklist. Beforehand, solely the Forbidden Metropolis on the central axis was included on the UNESCO listing.
– Multimedia Displays: Inside on the bottom flooring, you’ll discover data boards, gentle exhibits and multimedia shows that carry the historical past of the tower to life.
The sound wall is the place you can push buttons to listen to the normal sounds of Beijing, reminiscent of distributors promoting items like watermelons and candy flour truffles.
– Conventional Demonstrations: On the second flooring, you possibly can see replicas of the unique drums and reside demonstrations of how the drums have been performed ( watch our Youtube Video to see this), offering a singular perception into the previous.
Three folks in conventional costumes man the drums and play them in response to historic instances. It was fairly an expertise for all of us who the place contained in the tower on the time.
The entire thing lasts round 10 minutes. The show efficiency we witnessed was at 11 am. We recommend you ask the workers on the ticket counter what time the exhibits are on. Prior to now, the drums have been performed to indicate sure instances of the day and actions.
What was as soon as a courtyard used for commerce separates the Drum and Bell Tower. This space a couple of hundred meters lengthy is used for recreation today.
You will discover locals in teams taking part in hacky sack, folks flying kites and practising conventional dance. It’s fairly the sight and effectively value taking a break to witness how the locals spend their spare time in Beijing.
The Bell Tower is a Complementary Expertise
Only a stone’s throw away from the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower was additionally a part of Beijing’s historic timekeeping system, the place bells and drums have been used to sign the time to town’s residents.
The Bell Tower is just not as massive because the Drum Tower and lacks the identical multimedia expertise and displays that the Drum Tower had. You possibly can take part in a 3D immersive expertise on the bottom flooring earlier than making your means up extra steps, sure extra steps.
As we puffed our technique to the highest, an 84-year-old grandmother adopted us, exhibiting us simply how you can do it at any age, it was actually spectacular kind.
On the prime of the steps, you will see that a large bell known as the Yongle Bell. It was solid in the course of the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, particularly in 1420. This makes the bell over 600 years previous.
As gorgeous because the bell is, the Bell Tower is the poorer of the 2 towers. If the Bell Tower was not positioned adjoining to the Drum Tower, I’d suggest you give it a miss. However since they’re positioned collectively and you should buy a combo ticket, it’s value taking a look at.
Not like a lot of Beijing’s well-known sights, the Drum and Bell Towers are sometimes much less crowded, permitting for a much better expertise. I’d suggest getting there as early as attainable simply in case.
– Inexpensive Entry: A combo ticket for each towers prices solely 30 RMB, making it a budget-friendly choice for travellers.
A Should-Go to in Beijing
The Beijing Drum and Bell Towers will not be simply historic websites, they’re a good way to study in regards to the tradition of Beijing. I truly had no thought how they used to inform the time and had by no means actually considered it until I visited these sights in Beijing.
Learn our article on the most effective suggestions for impartial journey in China in 2025
Whether or not you’re a historical past buff or just on the lookout for a singular expertise away from the vacationer crowds, these towers are effectively value a go to.
– Location: Central Beijing, simply accessible through public transport and from the Sunworld Wangfujing Resort the place we suggest you keep in Beijing.
– Finest Time to Go to: Early morning or late afternoon to keep away from peak vacationer hours. We left SunWorld lodge close to Wangfujing and received there round 9.30 am and there have been only a few vacationers round at the moment.
Be sure so as to add the Drum and Bell Towers to your Beijing itinerary, it’s one of many much less visited websites that showcases town’s historical past and tradition.
We hope our articles assist you to plan your Chinese language trip, however when you need assistance, Wyld Household Journey presents journey planning and session companies. Simply attain out to us at mark.wyld@wyldfamilytravel.com or bec.wyld@wyldfamilytravel.com
