Drum and Bell Towers

Obligatory Selfies (Drum Tower)

Bell Tower

It's amazing the things you'll put off because you are so close.  I live just down the street from two of Beijing's most important landmarks, and due to a combination of laziness and restorations, I haven't ever been inside of them.  Yesterday was a beautiful day so I decided to checkout the Drum and Bell Towers and see what they had to offer.    

The two towers lie on Beijing's north-south central axis with the Bell Tower directly north of the larger Drum Tower.  The axis continues south to Jingshan Park, the Forbidden City, Mao's Mausoleum, and the Qianmen Gate.  The two towers were in charge of keeping time in the capital until the 1920's (Republican Era).

Drum Tower at ground level

Bell Tower from the square between
the two towers

Drum Tower as seen from the Bell Tower

Story about the casting of the bell

Between is a newly renovated square.  The square has been the focal point of some controversy during recent months.  Originally shops and restaurants lined the square, including the Beijing institution the Drum and Bell Coffee Shop.  When the local government decided to renovate the squares, these businesses were closed or relocated to other parts of the city.  Now the square is completely surrounded by grey brick walls with a few holes cut in them serving as entrances to the local hutong neighborhoods.  

It's important to go on a clear day.  Almost nothing can be seen from the towers on a smoggy day.  However, on clear days the views are spectacular.  Some tourists spend a week in the capital without realizing Beijing is surrounded by mountains on its Northern and Western sides.  A trip to the towers offers some great views of these mountains.    

Stairs in the Drum Tower

Notice the Mountains in the distance

The Bell is made of bronze according to the signs in the tower.  Notice the picture of Beijing's favorite tour guide preparing for the tolling of the bell.  

The Drum Tower has a drum demonstration show several times a day.  I recommend it.  It's free and very informative.  The center drum is the largest (center), and it's partnered with several smaller drums.  The performance lasts about five minutes. 

The Drum and Bell Towers are in central Beijing.  The central part of the city has height restrictions on new construction.  Outside the Second Ring Road buildings are much tower.  This results in the decentralized nature of the Beijing cityscape.  Please enjoy these photos and understand that it is next to impossible to arrange this many photos on Blogger effectively.

Local tour guide protecting ears

Cat inside the security area.  Notice his camouflage vest,
making him difficult to spot in his nature habitat

Bell and that thing that hits the bell

Looking south of the bell tower to Jinshan Park.
The street is 鼓楼南大街

Frozen Houhai lake with ice skaters

Me on top of the Drum Tower

The namesakes of the Drum Tower

Section at the top of the Drum Tower

South east Beijing from the Drum Tower.  Notice the short
buildings of the old city contrasted with the taller buildings
outside the Second Ring Road