In one of the most beautiful and historical districts of Beijing, the Gulou district, there are two towers, the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. Visible with a few yuan, they contain legends and curiosities of the Chinese city.
Located in the district of Dongcheng Bell tower and Drum tower are two symbols of the city of Beijing, always involved in city life, having marked the rhythm of official ceremonies with their sounds until the reign of the last emperor Puyi, in 1924. The Bell and Drum towers they look at each other.
The first, rebuilt in stone in 1747 after being destroyed by a fire, the second, an imposing pagoda with a red color that predominates on the walls and decorative friezes in enameled green. The combined ticket will allow you to enter both towers for few yuen. Around you, characteristic and old Beijing districts, perhaps to be discovered by accepting to get on one of the many rickshaws that will offer you a ride. In that case, always remember to bargain on the price.
The towers of the Bell and the Drum enclose each two treasures and two important parts of Chinese history. But to reach the top you need to have good breath and good legs. Yes, at the beginning the climb is underestimated as the two towers do not appear very high from the outside. But as soon as you cross the entrance, the tunnel that presents itself to the traveler is really steep and full of irregular steps.
Unless you are a climber or experienced sportsman, you can get up with a little breath and the descent, for those suffering from vertigo, it is to be done strictly leaning against the handrail without looking too low. However, once you reach the top, the effort takes on its value and you can sit admiring a view of Beijing from above among the most evocative, with life flowing below between low and gray houses and specks of red on the roofs of the rickshaws, which walk like busy ants.
Drum Tower
Arrived at the top of the Torre del Tamburo, you can relive the spectacle of 24 drums, now restructured, who play with as many players in traditional clothes, every half hour. The sound is strong, rhythmic, ancient and will take you back to when during the night, in China, drum beats were beaten at regular intervals to mark the commitments of military and administrative officers. A sound was enough to make them snap ready to gather in front the Sundial gate of the Forbidden City, before starting to march into the imposing imperial palace. The shows are held from 9 to 17.
Bell Tower
The Bell Tower, on the other hand, contains the very large one bronze bell, the sound of which would be heard up to 20 kilometers away. The legend born on the construction of this bell is written right next to it and naturally takes its cue from the severity of the Emperor who commissioned the work to an officer who for more than a year was unable to carry it out. The officer's daughter, to avoid reproaches and punishments to her father, sacrificed herself by throwing herself into molten lead, moving the gods and finally making the perfect bell. The emperor was more than satisfied by raising the courageous girl to the rank of goddess.
There are many other stories related to the bell, as well as to many other symbols of Beijing. China, ancient land of myths and legends, really has a lot to tell.
