Liu Gai Drum Tower

Liu Gai Drum Tower

The Liu Gai Drum Tower is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

The Liu Gai Drum Tower is located in Goulou Natural Village, Xinhé Village Committee, Tütang Town, Duchang County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province. It faces west, with a depth of 8 meters, a width of 8.5 meters, and a height of about 6 meters. It was built during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty in honor of Liu Gai, who passed the imperial examination in the second year of Zhengde and successively served as magistrate of counties such as Wangjiang, prefect of Suzhou, and held the prestigious title of "Heavenly Official" in the Ministry of Personnel. He was known for his integrity and achievements in office. The imperial court of the Ming Dynasty ordered the construction of this drum tower in the village to commend his service.

Behind the drum tower lies an ancient three-courtyard, two-well house built during the Ming Dynasty. The first courtyard features an ancient stage that has stood for millennia, with dressing rooms and prop storage on either side, and viewing galleries along both sides of the large central courtyard. The second courtyard serves as an audience hall. The large courtyard is adorned with carved windows and pillars, with dragon and lion pillars at each corner, and red stone bases engraved with floral patterns. Despite the vicissitudes of time since the Ming Dynasty, the appearance of the drum tower has changed over the years, but its main structure remains largely intact. It is the only remaining pavilion in the county and holds significant cultural value for understanding the architecture and design of local ancestral halls.

The Liu Gai Drum Tower faces west, with a crystal-clear pond situated right in front of it. The first impression upon approaching the Liu Gai Drum Tower is one of awe—this Ming Dynasty structure, having stood for nearly 600 years, still exudes a sense of solemnity and grandeur.

The entire drum tower has a depth of 8 meters, a width of about 8.5 meters, and a height of about 6 meters. The main body of the tower is supported by 20 pillars arranged in four even rows of five. The pillars rest on purple square stone bases, which are cushioned with wooden planks. It was built during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty in honor of Liu Gai, who passed the imperial examination in the second year of Zhengde and successively served as magistrate of counties such as Wangjiang, prefect of Suzhou, and held the prestigious title of "Heavenly Official" in the Ministry of Personnel. He was known for his integrity and achievements in office. The imperial court of the Ming Dynasty ordered the construction of this drum tower in the village to commend his service.

Since its establishment in the Ming Dynasty, the Liu Gai Drum Tower has endured for nearly 600 years through the passage of time and the trials of nature, yet it still stands today. Although its current appearance differs somewhat from its original Ming-era form, the main structure remains largely unchanged. In June 1984, it was designated as a county-level cultural relic protection unit. As the only remaining pavilion in Duchang County, it holds significant cultural value for understanding the architecture and design of local ancestral halls.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units