Bell Tower of Beijing

Bell Tower of Beijing

The Bell Tower of Beijing is a national AA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Introduction

Located on Di’anmen Outer Street in Dongcheng District. The original site was the central pavilion of the Wan Ning Temple from the Yuan Dynasty. It was built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1420), later destroyed by fire, and rebuilt in the 10th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1745). Built atop a tall brick and stone platform, it features a hip-and-gable roof with grey tubular tiles and green trimmed edges, opens with arched gateways on all four sides, stands about 33 meters high, and is entirely constructed of brick and stone, refined and sturdy. Originally, a large iron bell cast during the Yongle era (1403–1424) hung inside the tower, but it was later replaced by a thicker bronze bell (about 27 cm thick) bearing the Yongle inscription. The iron bell is now housed in the Ancient Bell Museum at the Great Bell Temple. The Bell and Drum Towers are located at the northern end of Beijing’s central axis, facing Jingshan Park to the south, creating a borrowed scenic view that complements each other, and serve as important physical evidence for the study of Beijing’s urban planning and layout.　

Transportation

Accessible via bus routes 5, 60, 107, 124, 734, 815, and 819.

Beijing Dongcheng District

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Beijing