The Bell Tower and Drum Tower

The Bell Tower and Drum Tower, located at the north end of Dianmenwai street, are a group of ancient buildings at the north end of the central axis from south to north in the ancient capital of Beijing.

As the time-keeping Centre in the capital of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, they have a long history. The Drum Tower was first built in the 9th year of Zhi Yuan Period of the Ming Dynasty (1272), and named Qi Zheng ( Orderly Administration) Tower. (It means seven administrations which are gold. wood. water. fire. earth. sun and moon). Later it was burnt down by fire. It was rebuilt in the first year of the Da De Period under the reign of Emperor Cheng Zong of the Yuan Dynasty (1297). It was rebuilt again in the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty (1420) when the Imperial Palace was under construction.

The Drum Tower is 46.7 metres high. It is an arched wooden structure with three layers of upturned eaves, covered with grey tubeshaped tiles and edged with green glazed tiles. In the past there were a Bronze Clepsydra, 24 drums and one main drum on the second floor, but now only the drumhead remains there.

The Bell Tower, situated due north the Drum Tower, was built in the 9th year of the Zhi Yuan period of the Yuan Dynasty (1272). Later it was burnt down. It was rebuilt in the 10th year of the Qian Long period of the Qing Dynasty (1745).

The Bell Tower stands 47.9 metres high. It is an ancient domed, double-eaved tower made of stones and bricks covered with black glazed tiles and edged with green glazed tiles with no beam in the building. It appears a semi-sphere in the center of the roof over the second floor. Under the octagonal bell rack, there hangs a big bell which was inscribed with " It was built on a lucky day, month and year under the reign of Emperor Yongle" The Bell Tower is 63 tons in weight and is the biggest ancient bell in china.

The Bell Tower and Drum Tower of Beijing were listed among the first batch of cultural relics under municipal protection in 1957 and listed as a cultural relic under state-level protection in 1996.