Bell Tower, Beijing 钟楼
- 48 meter tall Bell Tower
- Was originally built in the 13th century
- Present building dates from the 18th century
- Huge 42-ton Ming Dynasty bell
- Pleasant, lively area at night
- Marked the time in ancient Beijing
- Close to the Drum Tower & Beihai Park
The 48 meter brick and stone Bell Tower in Beijing stands just to the north of the Drum Tower and was built around the same time, although the present structure dates from the 18th century.
The huge, 42 ton, bronze bell at the top of the tower is 10 cm thick, over 500 years old and was rung to mark the time. Legend has it that the bell-maker's daughter threw herself into the molten metal to ensure a successful casting after a number of previous failings.
It is thought that the bell was rung to mark the time during the night in Beijing to avoid waking the capital's citizens while the drum was used to wake people up at 5 am - the designated time to rise, though the evidence is contrasting and the drum may also have been beaten at night as well.
There are good views from the top of the Bell Tower of the Drum Tower and over the neighborhood hutong rooftops and on a clear day the skyscrapers of downtown Beijing are also clearly visible.
The square between the Drum and Bell Towers - Zhonggulou - is a pleasant, neighborhood plaza in the evening when the tourists have departed.
There are bell and drum towers in other Chinese cities, most notably the Bell Tower and Drum Tower in Xian.
Bell Tower Access
The Bell Tower (Zhonglou)
Tel: 6401 2674
The building is in the Dongcheng district of the Chinese capital north of Di'anmen Street. From here it would be a 30 minute walk northeast to both the Lama Temple and the Confucius Temple.
The nearest Beijing subway stations are Shichahai Station (Exit A2) on Line 8 or Gulou (Exit G) on the Circle Line (Line 2).
By Beijing bus take any of numbers 5, 60, 82, 107, 124, or 635.
Bell Tower Map
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Some places to stay nearby include Beijing Drum Tower International Youth Hostel for those on a budget and The Orchid in a well-preserved traditional residence.
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