Beijing Drum and Bell Towers
Two towers that kept the capital's time for centuries, with drum performances still staged above the hutong roofs.
Updated 19 October 2026
AI illustration
The Drum Tower and Bell Tower stand on the northern end of Beijing's central axis, rebuilt in their present form in the Ming and Qing periods, and until 1924 they announced the hours to the city: drums beaten at set intervals through the night and a great bell rung at dawn and dusk. Twenty-four drums once stood in the Drum Tower, of which one Qing original survives alongside replicas, and short drumming performances are staged through the day. The Bell Tower holds a bronze bell of some sixty-three tonnes, among the heaviest in China. Both are climbed by steep stone stairs, and the views over the grey tiled hutong roofs are among the best in the city.
History
The Drum Tower was first built in 1272, in the Yuan capital Khanbaliq, as the Tower of Orderly Administration, a name standing for the elements of the universe in Chinese thought; in 1420 the Yongle Emperor had it rebuilt a little east of the original site, and the Qing renovated it in 1800. Built at first for music, the towers later announced the time to the city until 1924, when Western timekeeping replaced them, and after much repair they opened to visitors in the 1980s (Wikipedia, Drum Tower and Bell Tower of Beijing).
What's there
- The drum performances - short demonstrations on replica drums through the day.
- The great bell - the sixty-three-tonne bronze bell in the Bell Tower.
- The hutong rooftops - the view over grey tiled roofs from both towers.
- The central axis - the towers marking the northern end of Beijing's historic line.
When to go
April to May and September to October for clear air; performances run to a posted schedule. Sunset from the Drum Tower over the hutongs is popular. Both towers close in the late afternoon.
Practical notes
The stairs to both towers are extremely steep and narrow, with no lift. Drum performances last only a few minutes. The area around the towers has been repeatedly redeveloped, and some surrounding buildings are recent.
Nearby
Nanluoguxiang lies southeast; Shichahai and Prince Gong's Mansion are west.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q2741116, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Beijing Drum and Bell Towers
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- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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