[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Bei Jing Zhong Gu Lou (Updated Mar)

Bell and drum tower are in central Beijing and you will probably walk passed them sometime. If not the two towers are a good place to head to followed by a stroll around the hutongs. I was lucky enough to witness a performance in the drum tower which was late afternoon about 4-5pm. The performance was enjoyable and worth hanging around for if you can. Walked between the two towers

#urbanexplorer #tripblazers #beijing There is some debate with Beijing locals over which tower is the more beautiful - the expansive red and blue drum tower or the delicate stone bell tower. Thankfully it’s very easy to visit the square between both and make your own decision! Whilst the drum tower gets more visitors annually, we preferred the peaceful bell tower with its simplicity and layers.

This is a great attraction to visit. It’s very central, I visited by walking through a Hutong but it’s also easily accessible by metro, bike or taxi. The Bell and Drum tower are very interesting and there are drum shows that really bring the experience alive. There are lots of signs in both Mandarin and English which provide a detailed history into life in Ancient China. Tickets were easy to get. I went during the winter so it was relatively quiet by China standards and cost 40rmb. #China#beijing#history#holiday

A place to visit in Beijing to get a real feel for the city's beauty and community is the drum towers. In the evening the people of the community gather to play card games and sports. There are often roller skate classes or football classes and sometimes buskers will stop by to sing or perform. In the evening golden hour it is one of the most warm and beautiful places in Beijing. I can't recommend it enough! #passionpassport#beijing#drumtower#summervacation

Long before when no technological advancements happened, no industrial revolution happened how human beings were able to wake up on time and go to work. Well, there were many ways followed; like listening to your body's circadian rhythm 🪘, sunrise 🌄 and probably even cock's making sounds. But with little more of invention during the Han dynasty the Bell 🔔 and Drum 🥁 towers were constructed to announce to people the morning wake up call using Bell and dusk call using drum. This place is situated quite near to the Forbidden city in a small place and must visit place if you're in Beijing. Also you have provision to go up and see some performances🤩. It happens every two hours, so don't miss it !! #belltower #wakeupcall #beijingtrip#urbanexplorer

The Beijing Central Axis is a remarkable example of ancient Chinese urban planning. Stretching 7.8 km from Yongdingmen in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north, it connects the core architectural complexes of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. In 2012, it was added to the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in China. This axis, laid out according to the ritualistic principles of "the imperial court in the front, the market in the back, ancestral temples on the left, and altars of land and grain on the right," embodies the philosophical concept of "harmony between heaven and man" and the political ideal of "ruling from the center." The Central Axis is home to a diverse range of cultural heritage sites. Yongdingmen showcases the city wall system, while the Circular Mound Altar and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the Temple of Heaven symbolize the reverence for heaven and ancestors. Qianmen Street preserves the bustling atmosphere of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Forbidden City, centered around the Three Great Halls, displays imperial majesty. The five pavilions of Jingshan Hill form the city's highest point, and the Wanchun Pavilion offers a panoramic view of the entire axis. The Bell and Drum Towers, the ancient timekeeping center, have continued their tradition of morning bells and evening drums for millennia. On either side of the axis are ritualistic buildings such as the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Altar of Land and Grain, and Tiananmen, forming a symmetrical and rigorous spatial sequence. Today, the Central Axis is undergoing a revitalization through preservation efforts. The Yongdingmen Gate Tower has been reconstructed, and the Zhengyangmen Gate Tower has been repurposed. Ecological symbols, such as the Beijing swift, coexist with ancient architecture. This "historical backbone" not only carries the wisdom of city planning but also serves as a living testament to the continuity of Chinese civilization. Its application for World Heritage status is driving the protection of the ancient city's charm and the inheritance of its cultural heritage.

Beijing Drum Tower is located at No. 9 Linzi, Zhonglou Bay, Dongcheng District. It is an integral part of Beijing's central axis. It was first built in the ninth year of Yuan Dynasty (1272) and was originally named "Qizheng Building". It has been burned down and rebuilt many times. The existing buildings were rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. It is 46.7 meters high, has triple eaves, rests on the top of the mountain, and is covered with gray tube tiles and green glazed edges. It is an ancient building with a mainly wooden structure. The base of the building is 4 meters high. There are three gates on the north and south sides. There are one floor inside the building. There are 36 wooden pillars, and the second floor is a dark floor. In the time-telling centers of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, drums were played every night at regular intervals. At dawn, the drums were beaten first and then the bells were struck. The drums were beaten twice for a total of 108 sounds.

(Tuesday, October 15, 2024) E. Drum Tower/Bell Tower When I came out of Fuxiang Hutong at the end of Nanluoguxiang, I saw this golden tree, and many people were taking pictures of it, so I couldn't help but take a picture of it. This river is the Yuyue River Ruins of the Tonghui River. Walking up along the river, I arrived at Wannian Bridge, which was built in the Yuan Dynasty and was originally called "Haizi Bridge". This area is the "Chengqing Upper Sluice Ruins", and there are several water beasts lying on it. Therefore, Wannian Bridge is not only a part of the Grand Canal, a World Cultural Heritage, but also a part of the Central Axis of Beijing, a World Cultural Heritage. Don't underestimate it. The wide lake in front of Wannian Bridge is Shichahai. It is not part of today's itinerary, so I will skip it for now. Next to Wannian Bridge is the red "Huode Zhenjun Temple", which is free of charge. The incense is very strong, probably because there is both a God of Wealth Hall and a Matchmaker Hall inside. Keep going up. This area is crowded with people. Finally, I saw the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower behind it, both of which are part of the Central Axis of Beijing. It was getting dark, and I could only take a panoramic view from across the street. Well, I have successfully checked in. I will come back to enjoy it when I have time. The third day of the Beijing trip is over.

💫The Beijing Bell and Drum Towers, like two dazzling pearls✨, stand at the north end of the central axis of the capital. They have witnessed the ups and downs of the ancient capital and exude a rich historical charm and unique modern appeal. I. Ticket Information 💰Beijing Bell and Drum Towers joint ticket: 30 yuan, reasonable price😎. Here, you can gain a deeper understanding of the charm of ancient timekeeping buildings and their rich historical and cultural connotations. II. Visiting Time 🌄The opening hours of the Bell and Drum Towers are 09:30 - 16:30. ✨During the day, you can clearly appreciate the magnificent architecture of the Bell and Drum Towers. The red walls and grey tiles shine brightly under the sun, giving a sense of solemnity and grandeur😍. At night, the Bell and Drum Towers are illuminated, creating a unique atmosphere, as if taking you back to ancient Beijing🎇. III. Highlights 🎈Drum Tower Main Building: The tall and majestic Drum Tower is impressive😲. The double-eaved, three-drip wooden pavilion building is about 46.7 meters high. The vermilion paint and colorful decorations are magnificent and spectacular. Inside the tower, ancient timekeeping instruments are displayed. Visitors can climb the Drum Tower and overlook the surrounding old Beijing hutongs and the modern cityscape👀. From afar, the Drum Tower resembles a historical guardian, witnessing the development and changes of Beijing City💪. 🎈Bell Tower Main Building: The solemn and dignified Bell Tower stands tall😃. Inside the Bell Tower hangs a huge bronze bell, with a deep and distant sound. Standing under the Bell Tower, you can feel the echoes of history, as if you can hear the ancient timekeeping bell🎉. 🎈Surrounding Hutongs: The old Beijing hutongs crisscross, adding a rich atmosphere of life to the Bell and Drum Towers💦. The hutongs have grey walls and green tiles, with an antique charm, making them a perfect place for taking photos📷. Stroll through the hutongs and experience the leisurely pace of life in old Beijing, appreciating the unique charm of the courtyards😌. 🎈Shichahai: The lake's blue waves shimmer, reflecting the Bell and Drum Towers, creating a beautiful scene💦. Willows hang by the lake, and trees provide shade, making it a great place for a leisurely stroll. You can choose to take a boat tour of Shichahai, admire the beautiful reflection of the Bell and Drum Towers, and experience the tranquility and comfort of Beijing😉. 🎈Photo Souvenir: Put on traditional Chinese clothing and take a photo in front of the Bell and Drum Towers to experience the fusion of history and modernity😜. Whether it's Hanfu, Qipao or Zhongshan suit, they all complement the atmosphere of the Bell and Drum Towers, leaving unforgettable memories📸. When taking photos, you can choose different angles and backgrounds, such as standing under the Drum Tower with the Bell Tower as the background, or taking a photo with the old Beijing doorposts in the hutongs, to capture unique photos🤩. IV. Food Recommendations 🥧Beijing Roast Duck: Crispy skin and tender meat, with a fragrant aroma😋. Wrap it in a thin pancake with spring onions, cucumber and sweet bean sauce, add a few slices of roast duck, and enjoy the rich flavors and endless aftertaste😍. 🐷Old Beijing Tripe: Crispy tripe, with a fragrant sesame sauce😃. Blanch fresh tripe in boiling water, and serve with a special sesame sauce. The aroma is irresistible, and it is one of the traditional delicacies of old Beijing👍. 🍛Zhajiangmian: Noodles with a chewy texture and a rich sauce😉. Made with hand-rolled noodles, served with a sauce made from fermented soybeans, cucumber strips, bean sprouts and other ingredients. The noodles are smooth and the sauce is flavorful, making it a popular home-cooked dish in Beijing😋. 🥔Donkey Roll: Soft, sweet and nutty😜. Made from glutinous rice flour, soybean flour and red bean paste, with a smooth texture. It is one of the famous snacks of old Beijing😎. 🥤Soybean Milk: Unique flavor, loved by many😃. Although the taste is a bit special, it is one of the traditional beverages of old Beijing. Take a sip and experience the unique charm of old Beijing😉. V. Transportation Guide 🚗Self-driving: Navigate to "Beijing Bell and Drum Towers", there is a parking lot nearby🅿️. However, please pay attention to parking fees and traffic congestion to avoid affecting your mood😒. 🚌Bus: Many bus routes reach the Bell and Drum Towers. For example, bus routes 5, 60, 82, 107 and 124 stop at "Drum Tower" station; you can also take metro line 8 and get off at "Shichahai" station, then walk to the Bell and Drum Towers🚶.

Both of these acient towers are located in the heart of Beijing near from Hutongs. You can access finally both of the towers and enjoy a spectacůar view to the city and learn some valuable insights about the jistiry of these towers and what was their main purpose. Tickets can be bouht in the wechat or alipay or straight at the entrance to the Bell tower. Enjoy and have fun :)#beijing #drumtower

⛰【Travel Tips】 📍Detailed address: No. 9, Zhonglouwan Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing 🚗Transportation strategy: Subway: Walk about 900 meters from Gulou Dajie Station of Line 2/8 🕙Opening hours: 9:30-17:30 💰Ticket price: Bell Tower 10 yuan/person, Drum Tower 20 yuan/person, Bell Tower + Drum Tower 30 yuan (half-price tickets available for college students, seniors over 60, and active military officers and soldiers) 🌟Highlights: The Beijing Bell and Drum Towers are a group of ancient buildings located at the northern end of Beijing's central axis, at the north end of Di'anmen Outer Street in Dongcheng District, and served as the time-reporting center of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. In the history of the city's bell and drum tower system, Beijing's Bell and Drum Towers are the largest in scale and the highest in form, and are one of the iconic buildings of ancient Beijing. The Drum Tower was originally built in the ninth year of Yuan Zhiyuan (1272), with a total height of 46.7 meters, a three-tiered Xieshan-style roof covered with grey tube tiles and green glazed tile edges, and is an ancient building mainly constructed of wood, sitting on a 4-meter-high brick and stone base. ☆ The Drum Tower, located at the center of the Yuan Dadu, was originally named "Qizheng Tower" symbolizing the seven elements of metal, wood, water, fire, earth, sun, and moon, but was later destroyed by fire; ☆ Rebuilt in the first year of Yuan Chengzong Dade (1297), it was again destroyed by fire; ☆ Rebuilt in the eighteenth year of Ming Yongle (1420) along with the reconstruction of the palace; ☆ Rebuilt after being struck by lightning and destroyed in the eighteenth year of Ming Jiajing (1539); ☆ Repaired on a large scale in the fifth year of Qing Jiaqing (1800), the twentieth year of Qing Guangxu (1894), and after the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Bell Tower: The Bell Tower was originally built in the ninth year of Yuan Zhiyuan (1272), with a total height of 47.9 meters, a double-eaved Xieshan-style roof covered with grey tube tiles and green glazed tile edges, and is a large monolithic ancient building with an all-brick and stone structure, which was later destroyed by fire; ☆ Rebuilt in the eighteenth year of Ming Yongle (1420), it was again destroyed by fire; ☆ Rebuilt by imperial decree in the tenth year of Qing Qianlong (1745), and completed two years later. To prevent fire, the entire building was constructed with a brick and stone arch structure (a "Qianlong Imperial Stele" stands in the center of the south gate of the Bell Tower, detailing the construction of the Bell Tower at that time). ☆ The large copper bell hanging in the Bell Tower, cast during the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty, is over 7 meters tall and weighs 63 tons. It is currently the earliest cast and heaviest time-reporting copper bell in China, known as the "King of Ancient Bells". When the bell rings, "within and beyond the capital, for more than ten miles, all listen attentively". ※Evening Drum and Morning Bell As the time-reporting center, the Beijing Bell and Drum Towers struck the drum and bell with great regularity. During the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty, the time-reporting method was only twice at night, every evening at the fixed watch (i.e., the first watch, 19:00-21:00) and the bright watch (i.e., the fifth watch, 3:00-5:00), with the Bell and Drum Towers signaling with lights, commonly known as "matching the lights", striking the drum before striking the bell, called "Evening Drum and Morning Bell". The method of striking the drum and bell was the same, commonly known as "tight eighteen, slow eighteen, neither tight nor slow another eighteen. Fast and slow in alternation, struck twice in total." In this way, twice in total, 108 times, representing a year, is the sum of the numbers of the 12 months, 24 solar terms, and 72 pentads of the year.

#winhkflight CHINA, BEIJING, DONGCHENG, ANDINGMEN,ZHONGLOUWAN HU TONG DRUM TOWER AND BELL TOWN OF BEIJING is situated at the northern end of the central axis of the Inner City to the north of Di'anmen Street. Originally built for musical reasons, it was later used to announce the time and is now a tourist attraction. VISIT FEES FOR BELL TOWER AROUND CNY15 AND DRUM TOWER AROUND CNY 20 BUSINESS HRS ON 09:30 to 20:30 Drum Performances at the Drum Tower: 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 This two building is opposite just only take 30second arr next building#china #beijing

✅The Central Axis of Beijing, extending a full 7.8 kilometers from north to south, is punctuated by a series of ancient structures, forming the spiritual core of the capital. At the northernmost point of this axis, two venerable edifices stand in mutual regard, one red and one grey. In bygone times, they served to mark the hours of the day. These are the Bell and Drum Towers. 🔹Bell Tower: This grey-bricked structure spans two levels. The large bronze bell housed within is the tower's crowning glory, and is currently the heaviest bronze bell discovered in China. 🔹Drum Tower: In contrast to the tranquility of the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower's surroundings are more bustling. Its red exterior walls exude a strong national character, making it a photogenic spot. There is a wall and a signpost located at a three-way intersection, so caution is advised when taking photos due to passing pedestrians and vehicles. The second floor of the Drum Tower not only hosts an exhibition of timekeeping instruments used throughout different periods, but also preserves 25 drums. The large drum in the center represents a year, while the remaining 24 smaller drums symbolize the 24 solar terms. A drumming ceremony is held at fixed times each day, with a total of 108 beats played at varying speeds, and the rhythm changes with the seasons. From the second-floor viewing platform, a panoramic view of the city unfolds to the south. The vista encompasses ancient structures like the Prospect Hill Pavilion in Jingshan Park, as well as modern skyscrapers in the Wangfujing shopping district, creating a sense of time blending into one. ✨Nearby attractions: Nanluoguxiang, Shichahai, Yandai Xiejie, the Forbidden City, Beihai Park, etc. 📍Address: No. 9 Linzi, Zhonglouwan Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing 🚇Transportation: Shichahai Station on Subway Line 8 ⏱️Opening hours: 9:30-16:30 💰Admission: 10 yuan for the Bell Tower, 20 yuan for the Drum Tower, or 30 yuan for a combined ticket.

The 'Beijing Bell and Drum Tower' is located in Zhonglouwan, Dongcheng, Beijing. It was the timekeeping center of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It was first built in the ninth year of Yuanzhiyuan (1272), and was later rebuilt during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Bell and Drum Tower is part of the central axis of Beijing. The Drum Tower faces north and south, with a bright red exterior wall. It has two floors and is 46.7 meters high, housing 25 large drums. The Bell Tower also faces north and south, and is a gray brick and stone building. It has two floors and is 47.9 meters high, preserving relics such as an octagonal wooden bell frame and a bronze bell. The Bell and Drum Tower reopened in 2022.

#christmastrip Visiting Beijing's Drum and Bell Towers was like going back to really old times. The Drum Tower had these huge drums that made loud sounds, sort of like a big clock. When I went up, I could see the whole city, and it looked different from up there. What's cool is that there's a drum show every hour at the Drum Tower! It was so fun to watch and hear the rhythmic beats echoing through the air. Next to it was the Bell Tower, a tall building with fancy carvings and a giant old bell inside. It felt like I was exploring ancient China as I walked through its halls. The area nearby i a district of small, narrow streets around the towers, called hutongs, were cool to wander through. They showed what life was like a long time ago in Beijing. The Drum and Bell Towers made me feel like I was time-traveling and experiencing China's old stories. It was a fun and interesting journey through the past of this amazing city.

During the 13th century, the bell and drum towers are the city skyline of Beijing. As they were to be heard, across the city, they were built tall around 50 metres in height. The big bell 🔔 that wakes up the entire city is a sheer metal 🪙 that weighs around 60 kilograms. And even across China this is the only bell that is so huge. As the modernization has took over, they won't ring this bell anymore. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring building where the evening call of drum beat 🪘 is played; has some performances that you can enjoy. It has 70 steep steps🪜 and so, if you are not that fit then re-consider going up. #belltower #culturetrip #beijingtrip#urbanexplorer

Time is always changing, all beings are living, white is over, and the bell and drum tower is still the same, staring at you and me. Time is eternal, thousands of sails are exhausted, the initial heart does not change, and the forwarders are determined to be firm, and those who are willing to return are still young. "Drum Tower": witnessing the flow of time, do not forget the original intention.