Bell and Drum Towers
Bell and Drum Towers
4
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksObservation Decks & TowersMonuments & Statues
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This two-story arched wooden structure once held 25 drums which, in combination with bells in the Bell Tower, were once used to indicate the time of day. Only one drum remains today, which is beaten four times a day for 15 minutes.
Duration: < 1 hour
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- Shichahai • 6 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
898 reviews
Excellent
251
Very good
412
Average
202
Poor
28
Terrible
5
paul g
Brisbane, Australia808 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
These towers were fascinating to visit, albiet there were quite a few steps that needed climbing to get to the main sections. A great deal of genersl Chinese history was explained but also the highlight for me was learning the specifics of time telling/marking objects that had been used in China through the ages. There are many original artifacts there including drums and time measuring devices. The views are great and the architectural features make a trip worthwhile.
Written June 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natalie M
Austin, TX137 contributions
We visited the drum tower last week after a morning at the summer palace and lunch at Houhai lake. We walked from Houhai (through some shopping hutongs) and made our way to the drum and bell towers. There was a wide courtyard in between and we let the kids play for a while. We walked up a steep stairway to the drum tower and I was excited to see lots of drums! I had not researched this place at all and did not know what to expect but it wasn't this. There are several performances throughout the day. We caught the last one before closing at 445pm. You are able to look out and have a great view of Jingshan park, as well as Houhai and the hutongs. It gives you a great feel for what Beijing used to look like. The performance lasts about 5 minutes and is wonderful! This is a hidden gem and is worth checking out if you are in the area, for sure!
Written April 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yycflip
Calgary, Canada2,641 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
Most people do not venture out to this part of Beijing but I thought I'd bring a friend that has never been part to this part of Beijing. This is both our 3rd trip here but he's never been to this area and he loved it because it's non touristy. We probably saw 10 tourist during our 2 hour walk around the area.
The bell and the drum tower structures were magnificent. Not as spectacular as you would see in the Forbidden city but they are equally as interesting of architectural structures in my opinion.
The bell and the drum tower structures were magnificent. Not as spectacular as you would see in the Forbidden city but they are equally as interesting of architectural structures in my opinion.
Written November 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bencj88
Kuching, Malaysia92 contributions
May 2013 • Solo
I made a quick visit to these towers in May where I used the subway train to Guloudajie interchange station and walked southwards to get to Bell & Drum Towers. It is not very near and took me about 15/20 mins by walking to reach these towers. I arrived around 1455 hrs, in time for the next drum performance show at 1530 hrs. The timing for these shows is at 0930, 1030, 1130, 1330, 1430, 1530 & 1645 hrs. I bought my entrance ticket, 30 Yuan for both towers at the ticketing booth in front of the Drum Tower.
Both these towers are facing each along the same center axis with a 100m courtyard separating them. I went to the Bell Tower and check out the stone stair leading up to the upper level and found it was quite a climb to go up. I decided not to go up since I wanted to watch the drum performance show at 1630 hrs and I have limited time to spend here.
Hence went back to the Drum Tower and walked up the straight long stair with handrail for support to access its upper level. The stair leads into a room which exhibit drums of various sizes and ages. Some of the drums here are used during the drum performance. There is also a small bench inside this room for some people to sit down while waiting for the performance to start. A door in this room leads to a small balcony which faces the south side. From this balcony, I can see the structure of the Pavilion on top of the hill at Jingshan Park at the far distance which is aligned straight to this Drum Tower. Surrounding view are the buildings and shop houses around this Drum Tower.
The drum performance itself is about 15 minutes carried out by a group of youngsters where they coordinated beat the drums to give interesting sound rhythm.
After the show, I went down and walked to main road to catch a taxi and it took me around 15 mins since most taxi passing-by have passengers inside. Due to my time constraint, I didn’t go to the nearby popular tourist place of Nanluoguxiang Hutong on that day. It good to combine the visit to these two places at the same time since they are near to each other, about 500/600 m away.
Both these towers are facing each along the same center axis with a 100m courtyard separating them. I went to the Bell Tower and check out the stone stair leading up to the upper level and found it was quite a climb to go up. I decided not to go up since I wanted to watch the drum performance show at 1630 hrs and I have limited time to spend here.
Hence went back to the Drum Tower and walked up the straight long stair with handrail for support to access its upper level. The stair leads into a room which exhibit drums of various sizes and ages. Some of the drums here are used during the drum performance. There is also a small bench inside this room for some people to sit down while waiting for the performance to start. A door in this room leads to a small balcony which faces the south side. From this balcony, I can see the structure of the Pavilion on top of the hill at Jingshan Park at the far distance which is aligned straight to this Drum Tower. Surrounding view are the buildings and shop houses around this Drum Tower.
The drum performance itself is about 15 minutes carried out by a group of youngsters where they coordinated beat the drums to give interesting sound rhythm.
After the show, I went down and walked to main road to catch a taxi and it took me around 15 mins since most taxi passing-by have passengers inside. Due to my time constraint, I didn’t go to the nearby popular tourist place of Nanluoguxiang Hutong on that day. It good to combine the visit to these two places at the same time since they are near to each other, about 500/600 m away.
Written July 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernice Sim
Singapore60 contributions
Dec 2019
Went to the drum tower as it was almost near closing time and we managed to catch the drum performance which lasted for almost five minutes. Take note that the steps to the top of the tower is long and tiring, but the view is worth it. Very accessible and location is not hard to find.
Written December 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alisa D
Orlando, FL513 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
The drum tower is super cool. It has one original drum on display. The stairs are steep - going and coming is sketchy. Once at the top the views are amazing.
Written December 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SMM
Singapore, Singapore15 contributions
Mar 2019
Good to history surrounding these two towers. But do prepare the very steep steps up the buildings eps if u have old folks. Even young chaps needs to take a breather half way up!
Written April 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole L
Toronto, Canada64 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
Lots of stairs, but not as much as the Summer palace. When I visited, I got to see a drum performance (posted in picture the times). Not many tourists when I came, about 30 RMB to go up to both towers. There is a nice view, however it is pretty fenced up.
Written September 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elekesla
Adelaide, Australia352 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Any visit to Beijing should include the 2 Towers as ancient Asian Cities most often boast these edifices. They are located directly north of the Forbidden City and part of a significant Hutong area. The 2 buildings are connected by a large courtyard area and admission is by ticket and cheaper if ones buys for both towers. The steps leading to the top are steep but the views of the general area are well worth the exertion. Plenty to see within the adjacent streets from Tai Chi exhibitions to busy shopping and eating.
Written July 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alienandbear
Daly City, California, United States153 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Make sure you go on a nice day. When you get to the top and you want to take pictures of the outside and it's a smoggy day then..it's just not worth going.
The staircases are kind of steep I could imagine some people having some trouble walking up the stairs.
Make sure you take your time walking down you could easily slip.
There is a show of girls beating the drums in the drum tower. The one I saw was at 330 pm. It's about a 10 minute performance but it is definitely worth it.
Summary-
Go early so you can go in the building they close earlier at the bottom portion
Coordinate your time to see the drum tower show.
Bring good shoes and watch your step
The staircases are kind of steep I could imagine some people having some trouble walking up the stairs.
Make sure you take your time walking down you could easily slip.
There is a show of girls beating the drums in the drum tower. The one I saw was at 330 pm. It's about a 10 minute performance but it is definitely worth it.
Summary-
Go early so you can go in the building they close earlier at the bottom portion
Coordinate your time to see the drum tower show.
Bring good shoes and watch your step
Written September 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does it have an entrance fee? If ever, how much?
Written December 14, 2017
Hi, I think there is an entrance fee, I could not say how much as we were on a guided tour where the entrance fees were paid by the guide who was taking us around Beijing. I would not expect the fee to be too much probably no more than 25 yuan £2-£3. The towers are well worth a visit the drum tower has a drum performance every hour and is well worth watching at the bell tower they have a traditional tea ceremony again worth doing. Hope this helps you. Enjoy your trip. If you have an email address i could send you some pictures if you would like me to. Regards Jimlee.
Written December 16, 2017
Hello,
1. How many types of drum performance are there? And what time are their performances?
2. Is Dong Gulou Street (South of Drum Tower) worth visiting for shopping local products - more on food or souvenirs etc?
3. Which other attractions can I combined with when visiting the Drum Tower?
Thanks.
Regards.
Written September 28, 2017
The times of the performances are 09:30, 10:00, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:45
Prepare yourself on a lot of steep steps to get there. The view from the top is beautiful.
Across the Drum Tower is Bell tower, you can visit that, I was not much impressed with that one.
While you are in the area it's worth visiting the old Beijing, Hutong, where you can try Chinese authentic food and shop for souvenirs and silk, or handmade fans. It's very charming and picturesque near the river surrounded with willow trees.
Written September 28, 2017
Где узнать расписание боя барабанов (шоу барабанщиков)?
Written March 16, 2017
Если я помню, каждые 2 часа, начиная с 10 часов утра? Но не уверен, где будет листинг времени. Если вы пойдете в середине дня, все будет хорошо
Written March 24, 2017
Hello
Is it worth going and see them from outside? Because we cannot climb the stairs.
Do we hear the drums from outside?
Tks
Written January 21, 2017
Worth seeing from outside but view great. I listened to the drums from the bottom of the stairs which you have to pay for. You can't really hear them from further.
The steps are amazingly steep!
Written February 16, 2017
There are a handful of western eateries, but, the signs are in Chinese and run by locals, so, you might not get ze correct taste. Personally, I wont even walk into the big M. Hope you find what you are looking for.
Written June 9, 2016
Gostaria de saber o valor da entrada, pode ter um redirecionamento para o viator, mas se eu não quiser fazer excursão?
Antigamente voces apresentavam o valor dos ingressos, agora que se filiaram ao viator não apresentam informação nenhuma pra quem tem pavor de excursões.
não quero excursão. quero apenas saber o valor dos ingressos das atrações que voces tem no site
Written November 4, 2015
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