Bell Tower

The Bell and Drum Towers are located at the northern end of central axis of Beijing, answering the southern Jingshan Mountain at a distance. It is an important demonstration object for Beijing's city planning and layout. It is a national cultural heritage under special protection.

The Bell Tower, located 100 metres north of the Drum Tower, was first built in the 9th year under the reign of Zhi Yuan of the Yuan Dynasty (1272), and repaired several times later. A big bonze bell hung in the tower was struck to announce the hours to the public every morning and evening during Ming and Qing dynasties.

The Bell Tower was initially built on the basis of the Central Pavilion in Wanning Temple. In the 18th year under the reign of Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty (1420), The Bell Tower was rebuilt at the present site, but burnt down before long, and rebuilt again in the 10th year under the reign of Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty (1745).

The 33 metre-high Bell Tower, of complete brick and stone structure, is placed on a high masonry pedestal with an arched gate on each of four sides. Previously, an iron bell was used to tell time. It was made in the 18th year under the reign of Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty (1420) with a height of 4.2 metres, diametre of 2.4 metres, shell thickness of 0.17 metre, and weight of 25 ton. Since bell sound was not sonorous enough. The iron bell was replaced by a bronze bell. In 1983, the bronze bell was moved to the Ancient Bell Museum in Great Bell Temple. The current bronze bell was made during the reign of Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty with a height of 5.4 metres, diametre of 3.4 metres, and weight of 42 ton, and hung on an octagonal wooden frame on the second floor with one 2-metre-long log sticks furnished on both sides for striking the bell. When striking, the bell utters long, mellow and sonorous sound, allowing the people within the range of over ten miles to hear.