Morning Bell at Baci Temple

Morning Bell at Baci Temple

Morning Bell at Baci Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Within the southern gate of Mengcheng stands a temple known as Cishi Temple (now rebuilt as Chengguan No. 3 Primary School). The architecture is grand and magnificent, with exquisite sculptures. A large iron bell hangs high inside the temple. In the southeast corner adjacent to Cishi Temple stands a pagoda named Cishi Pagoda, also known as Wanfo Pagoda. The thirteen-story, octagonal pagoda rises gracefully and pierces the clouds, with bronze wind bells hanging from each corner of every level. The pagoda and temple complement each other beautifully, creating a spectacular sight. In ancient times, at dawn each day, the monks would strike the great bell, and the resonant chimes mingled with the tinkling of the pagoda’s wind bells, echoing throughout the old city. The sound was refreshing and uplifting. Citizens and merchants alike would rise to the pleasant tones and begin their daily work. The Qing Dynasty poet Wang Tingzhen wrote:

The bell of Cishi stirs the morning breeze, The lion’s roar heralds the east aglow.

Suddenly it wakes the guest of Handan, Who dons his straw shoes to follow Lü Dongbin.