Neijiang Bell Tower

Neijiang Bell Tower

The Neijiang Bell Tower is a Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Neijiang Bell and Drum Tower is located in the city center. Though small in architectural scale, it boasts an extremely rich historical significance and is known as Neijiang’s “pocket museum.” It has been nominated as a national key cultural relics protection unit.

Historical records state that in the early Hongwu years of the Ming Dynasty, “a platform with arched tunnels was built, upon which the watchtower was erected” (an ancient tower constructed atop city gates, used for elevated surveillance). Between the sixth year of the Tianshun reign and the Wanli era—a span of 150 years—the pavilion was twice destroyed and twice rebuilt. During the Chongzhen reign (in 1634), it was further restored, “with a gate beneath for passage, and an overhead bell above to mark the time of day and night,” hence also being called the Bell Tower. In the Jiashen year of the Ming Dynasty (1644), the tower was destroyed. It was rebuilt in the 50th year of the Kangxi reign (1711) and became a scenic highlight of the county. By the 14th year of the Jiaqing reign (1809), “the gate had sunken into ruin, the rooms were crude and shabby, insufficient to command respect.” Reconstruction efforts followed, resulting in a grander structure. During the Guangxu period, the tower was destroyed by fire but was later restored. The fates of the Neijiang Watchtower have risen and fallen through centuries, much like the shift of dynasties themselves.

“A tower in Jianzhou (Yang) stands one zhang eight above the sky… Neijiang has a bell and drum tower, half of which pierces the heavens.” This folk rhyme originated after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, describing one of the most iconic high-rise buildings among the cities of southeastern Sichuan. It was once widely circulated among the populace.

After the victory in the Anti-Japanese War in 1945, Neijiang called on citizens to donate money and dismantled the Watchtower to rebuild a new Bell and Drum Tower in celebration. A commemorative plaque carries the following inscription: Over the eight years of war, the county suffered two bombings by Japanese aircraft, and the County Government building was also hit. County Magistrate Huang Xilian, despite his busy official duties, personally designed the blueprints and supervised the construction, completing the project in just four months.

The completed Bell and Drum Tower faces south, topping a square base built from strip stones, measuring 5.7 meters per side. The base features arched gateways on the north and south sides. Above, the seven-story tower is of brick-and-timber construction, with wooden flooring. Each floor is fitted with square windows that gradually taper inward, and a wooden staircase of over 90 steps leads up. Each story spans about 16 square meters, and the tower reaches a total height of 29.7 meters. At the top sits a mechanical clock with a diameter of about 4 meters, which sounded the time for the entire city. At that time, it was the tallest building in the urban area.

Entering the ground floor of the Bell and Drum Tower, one will find 14 stone carvings embedded in the walls. These feature inscriptions such as “Liberate Our Land,” “Rescue the People from Misery,” “Adversity Forges a Nation,” “Utmost Sincerity and Integrity,” and “Triumphant Return,” all themed around national revitalization and celebrating the victory of the Anti-Japanese War. Signatories include Sun Yat-sen, Yu Youren, Feng Yuxiang, and Deng Xihou. Reportedly, during the war, the road linking Chengdu and Chongqing passed through downtown Neijiang, where travelers would typically rest briefly or stay overnight. As a result, many of these inscriptions were made in person. These precious carvings were originally housed in an auditorium, but were moved here after that building was demolished.

Protected Area: Extending 11 meters outward east and west from the respective sides of the Bell Tower, 11 meters outward south from the southern gate, and 1 meter outward north from the northern gate.

Construction Control Zone: Extends 15 meters eastward from the protected zone to the parking lot boundary, 52 meters southward to the entrance gate of the Shizhong District Government, 14 meters westward to the parking lot boundary, and 27 meters northward to the rear wall of the government compound.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units