Lingying Bell and Drum Tower

Lingying Bell and Drum Tower

The Lingying Bell and Drum Tower is a Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Lingying County Provincial-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit — the Bell and Drum Tower, also known as the Clock and Drum Tower, was first built in 1370 (the third year of the Hongwu reign in the Ming Dynasty) and renovated in the second year of the Jingtai reign in the Ming Dynasty. Located in front of the old county government office, it covers an area of 140 square meters and is a brick structure in the form of a tower platform. The platform is 6 meters high, measuring 14.7 meters from east to west and 9.5 meters from north to south on the flat top; the central arched gateway is 3.5 meters wide, 4 meters high, and 9.5 meters deep; the upper floor is five zhang high (a traditional unit of length), housing a 2,000-jin bell and a large drum over ten spans in circumference, providing convenience for people’s daily life. It is the only remaining landmark building reflecting ancient culture in the surrounding counties and cities, boasting high historical value. In 1973, it was designated as a County-level Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The green brick platform features a bluestone plaque inscribed with the two characters “谯楼” (Bell and Drum Tower) on the lintel above the southern archway, shining brilliantly under the sunlight; above the southern archway there is also an inset stone plaque inscribed with “颍川古郡” (Ancient Yunchuan Commandery). The tower is accessed via bluestone steps and is surrounded by bluestone railings. The wooden structure atop the platform resembles a palace-style building with double eaves and upturned corners, four iron horse wind chimes at the corners, and ten upright pillars around the perimeter... During the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong reign, Liu Hang, the magistrate of Lingying, once wrote a poem: “The government offices of Yunchuan stand lush and green, before their gates the Bell and Drum Tower rises even grander. The evening drum calls back the plowmen caught in the rain, the morning bell startles the weavers who spin the clouds. A full moon soars amid the flying eaves, auspicious smoke drifts across painted beams. Climbing to this scenic spot, one sees laughter and songs of the town scattered by the spring breeze.” These verses offer a true depiction of the Bell and Drum Tower.

Describing the Bell and Drum Tower as simply “beautiful” is far from enough. In the past, merchants and travelers flocked here, making it as bustling as today’s Jiaotong Road or Zhonghua Market. Due to years of neglect and human damage, the pavilion atop the platform and the bell-drum house no longer exist. The platform is overgrown with weeds and numerous trees, some with trunks as thick as 1.5 meters. Coupled with centuries of weathering, the surrounding walls have bulged outward, and many cracks have appeared, putting the structure at risk of collapse. Urgent repair and restoration efforts were needed. With the high attention of the Lingying County Party Committee, County Government, and cultural authorities, along with joint efforts from all sectors of society, the tower underwent renovation last year starting July 1st, with an investment of 450,000 yuan. After five months, the project was successfully completed.

Today, the Bell and Drum Tower shines with red and blue hues, solemn and majestic, its former appearance restored. Gazing at it, one can almost envision the scene of the past: “On a hot day, climbing the tower, a refreshing breeze greets you; leaning on the railing and looking into the distance, the entire surroundings come into view; below lies the thoroughfare, bustling with travelers and merchants, a lively scene of coming and going.”

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Further Reading:

· The Seventh Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units