Yinchuan Drum Tower

　　• A century-old historic building in the bustling city center where you can explore local cuisine and enjoy the night view of this ancient landmark.

　　Attraction Introduction

　　The Yinchuan Drum Tower, also called the "Cross Drum Tower" or "Four-Directional Drum Tower," is located at the intersection of Jiefang East Street and Drum Tower North-South Street, near the Jade Emperor Pavilion and Xinhua Street Pedestrian Street. The tower stands 36 meters tall atop a large square base, beneath which lies a cross-shaped passageway connecting Jiefang East Street and Drum Tower North-South Street. Stone inscriptions adorn the arches: "Welcoming Grace" to the east, "Fragrant Breeze" to the south, "Refreshing Air" to the west, and "Polar Guardian" to the north. Above the base sits a three-story pavilion with a hip-and-gable roof in a cross layout.

　　On either side of the eastern archway are additional arched entrances. The southern arch is inscribed with "Earthly Closure," leading to a side chamber, while the northern arch is labeled "Heavenly Opening." The rooftop is adorned with dragon heads along the ridges, centered with a string of pearls, creating a vivid "two dragons playing with a pearl" motif. The drum tower features a compact and elegant design. From its upper levels, visitors can take in panoramic views of Yinchuan.

　　Situated at the crossroads of Jiefang East Street and Drum Tower North-South Street in Yinchuan, the drum tower was first built in the first year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1821 AD) under the supervision of Ningxia Prefect Zhao Yixuan. With over 160 years of history, it was rebuilt in 1908 (the 34th year of the Guangxu reign) through donations from local gentry and merchants, and further expanded in 1917. The tower stands 26 meters tall, with an 8.5-meter-high, 24-meter-square base. Below the base is a cross-shaped passageway. Atop the platform sits a two-story pavilion with a double-eave, cross-hipped roof, surrounded by corner towers. The office of the first CCP branch in Ningxia, the "Ningxia Special Branch," and the county party headquarters were located in the northeast corner tower in 1926. In 1986, it was designated as a municipal cultural relic protection unit by the Yinchuan Municipal People’s Government, and in 1988, it was listed as an autonomous region-level cultural relic protection unit by the regional government.

　　Address: Intersection of Jiefang East Street and Drum Tower North-South Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan

　　Type: Historic Site

　　Recommended Visit Duration: 15–30 minutes

　　Phone: 0951-6071994

　　Opening Hours:

　　Open all day

　　Ticket Information:

　　Free admission.

　　Source: Yinchuan Municipal Government Official Website