The Bell Tower of Jiangzhou

Bell Tower of Jiangzhou

The Bell Tower of Jiangzhou is located in the Juyuanchi Community in the county seat of Xinjiang County, at the western end of Gongyuan Lane on Yapo Slope. It faces south with its back to the north. The tower complex stretches 45 meters from north to south and 17.33 meters from east to west, covering an area of 780 square meters. According to the Xinjiang County Annals, it was built in the first year of the Qiande era of the Song Dynasty (963), and underwent renovations during the thirteenth year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1294), the first year of the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty (1488), the thirty-eighth year of the Wanli era (1610), as well as in various periods of the Qing Dynasty. It was also restored in 1979 and 1994. The existing beams and frames date back to the Ming Dynasty. The tower has a square base that is 9.45 meters on each side and stands 1.74 meters high. The main structure is built of brick, with arched gateways on all four sides. Above the columns are lintels and girders, and the bracket sets feature three-curved single-angled designs, with one set of bracket arms per wall face, each extending out at a 45-degree angle. The beam framework consists of corner-braced beams supporting a well-frame, topped with a hip-and-gable roof adorned with glazed ridge ornaments. Inside the tower hangs an iron bell cast in the second year of the Tiande era of the Jin Dynasty (1150). On November 20, 1996, it was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Longxing Town: Originally known as Chengguan Town, Longxing Town was formed by merging the former Chengguan Town and Diantou Township. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of Xinjiang County. Historically, the town has been known for its thriving handicraft industry and convenient transportation. Three major highways—Jinhan, Linxin, and Linxia—intersect within its boundaries, and the Fen River, often referred to as the "Mother River of Shanxi," flows through it. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, it was celebrated alongside Taiyuan and Linfen as one of the three great strongholds of the Jin region. It has earned accolades such as “a hub for both water and land transport,” “Nanjian in the south, Daizhou in the north, with Xinzhou holding its own,” and “boasting all seventy-two trades.” It is also recognized as a National Historical and Cultural City approved by the State Council.

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