Yongping Bell Tower

Yongping Bell Tower

The Yongping Bell Tower is located to the east of Yongping Town, Yanshan County, Jiangxi Province. It was built in the 19th year of the Jiajing reign during the Ming Dynasty (1540). As recorded in the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong-era Yanshan County Annals, “It stands tall alongside the Kuixing Pavilion, with a grand scale and is a magnificent landmark of the county.” The bell tower is seven zhang (approximately 23 meters) high, towering and majestic, overlooking the streets. The structure consists of three levels—upper, middle, and lower—with exquisite craftsmanship. The lower level serves as a stage for performances, the middle level contains side rooms, and the upper level houses the bell chamber. The tower is surrounded by long strip-style fir wood fences, with corridors encircling it. Its walls are adorned with golden plaster and apricot-colored tiles, featuring carved decorative lintels and brackets. The three-tiered bracket sets support the overhanging eaves that extend outward. The roof ridge rises high, resembling a coiling dragon; the corner ornaments hang high, shaped like soaring phoenixes; and the upturned eaves stretch upward, as if wings ready to take flight. The main gate of the tower faces west and is inscribed with four characters in semi-cursive script: “Chasing the Wind and the Moon,” exuding a bold and vigorous charm. A bronze bell hangs from the beam on the upper level of the bell tower. It is six feet tall, with a diameter of over three feet, and weighs more than 3,000 jin (approximately 1.5 metric tons). The bell is inscribed with the characters “Yongping Yong’an” (meaning “Yongping Eternal Peace”). Legend has it that when the bell was being hung, a sudden red light flashed from within, causing the bell to sway uncontrollably, alarming the craftsmen. Just then, an elderly man with white hair but a youthful face appeared. He took out a silver needle and inscribed the words “Yongping Yong’an” on the bell. Instantly, the bell stopped swaying and became still. While everyone was still astonished, the old man vanished into thin air. People then realized that he must have been an immortal from the heavens who had descended to pray for peace and happiness for Yongping.