Beizhen Drum Tower

Beizhen Drum Tower

The Beizhen Drum Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

The drum tower is located in the center of downtown Beizhen City. Originally the southern gate of the Xianzhou City during the Liao Dynasty, it was preserved when the area was expanded during the Ming Dynasty. It served as a military reviewing platform for both Li Chengliang and Ma Yong, who were regional military commanders in Liaodong, and was later converted into a drum tower during the Qing Dynasty. The two-story building features a single-eave hip-and-gable roof, covers an area of 625 square meters, and has a large wooden frame structure with double eaves built atop the base.

The base of the drum tower is built of brick, measuring 24 meters in length from east to west, 20 meters in width from north to south, and 8 meters in height. The upper part of the tower features crenellations, with an arched gate in the center. The gate opening is 6 meters high and 4.5 meters wide. There is a door on the northern side, and 40 steps inside lead up to the tower platform. At the center of the platform stands a two-story structure, 8 meters high, accessible by stairs. The tower underwent multiple renovations during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period. In 1929 (the 18th year of the Republic of China), the eight large characters “幽州重镇” (Zhongzhen of Youzhou) and “冀北严疆” (Yanjiang of Northern Hebei) were newly added on the southern and northern sides, respectively.

The Beizhen Drum Tower holds significant value for the study of the architectural structure and style of Ming Dynasty bell and drum towers. Together with the nearby Li Chengliang Stone Archway, located just 30 meters to the south, it forms a renowned tourist attraction that draws a continuous stream of visitors. It was once the southern gate tower of the Xianzhou City during the Liao Dynasty and the Guanganning Prefecture during the Jin Dynasty. In the 42nd year of the Jiajing reign, Regional Military Commander Wang Zhigao expanded the inner city and constructed the drum tower here. During the Tian Shun era of Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, Ma Yong and Li Chengliang, military commanders of the Liao region, used the drum tower as a military reviewing platform while stationed in Guangning. As a result, the drum tower is also known as “Drum Tower Pointing Troops” among the Eight Scenic Spots of Guangning.

Address: In front of the Bell Tower, central area of downtown Beizhen City, Beizhen, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province

Recommended visiting time: 1–2 hours

Further reading:

· Fourth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Liaoning Province