Cixian Drum Tower

Cixian Drum Tower

The Cixian Drum Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Handan City.

The Drum Tower, located in the center of the county town, gets its name from the grand main tower flanked by a bell tower and a drum tower on either side. Hence the name Drum Tower, it is also known as the “No. 1 Tower Under Heaven” and the “No. 1 Tower in Southern Ji.” Built in the 12th year of the Hongzhi reign during the Ming Dynasty (1499 AD), the tower base is rectangular, 8 meters high, and covers an area of 1,380 square meters. There is a north-south arched passageway in the middle. The northern stone archway is inscribed with “Heroically Guarding the Fuyang River,” while the southern stone archway bears the two characters “Jingsong,” written in upright, powerful strokes. In ancient times, Cizhou was part of...

the Central Plains Songshan region, symbolizing the beautiful scenery of Mount Song. The base is surrounded by a sawtooth-pattern brick wall with 48 battlements along its perimeter. The tower stands within, divided into three levels, each over ten feet high. The lower two levels feature outer columns and inner walls, with spaces between the columns forming corridors several feet wide. The roof is covered with glazed tubular tiles, and the lower part has ornate doors and windows. The four corners are adorned with upturned eaves, and the top level has a north-south gable structure. The current Drum Tower was rebuilt in 1993.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Units in Handan City