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4.0 852 reviews

Excellent28%
Very good46%
Average22%
Poor3%
Terrible1%

Travelers talk about

“steep stairs”(47 reviews)

“nearby hutongs”(6 reviews)

“worth the climb”(20 reviews)

About

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.

Suggested duration: < 1 hour

As featured in 3 Days in Beijing

Contact

Di'anmen Wai Main Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100006, China

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Reviews (852)

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GT-martin

Terneuzen, The Netherlands

13441

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

Combined Visit to both towers

The area is easily accessible by a cab. Once you are above the towere, you are at a location to see the city at your feet. Unfortunately, the management decided to build a fence on top floor forbidding visitors to go out to balcony. When...More

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank GT-martin

Yenyenyenyenyen

8652

Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile

People watch

I didn't catch the timing for the playing of the bells or drums. Given the time constraint, I was only able to view the drum and bell tower from outside. didn't get to go inside but I don't feel that I have missed out on...More

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank Yenyenyenyenyen

-Guzzis-are-ace-

Beijing, China

18337

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Fantastic history and views of Beijing

We visited the drum and bell tower and it’s not expensive at 30yuan. The views are great but be aware that there are many stairs to the top of each which are quite steep. We stayed to hear the drums being played, it was interesting...More

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank -Guzzis-are-ace-

SpirosKphotography

Athens, Greece

21762

Reviewed December 12, 2018

Two Small Towers, with a view (and a show)

These are just two plain towers, with great views over the Beijing Skyline, but it is REALLY worth attending the Drums performance in the Drums Tower. It's an experience that you must really experience live.

Date of experience: March 2018

Thank SpirosKphotography

tomsF5110SS

5517

Reviewed December 7, 2018

A good point to visit while you travel around the hutongs of Beijing

This is a great building to view the surrounding area of the hutongs. We spent what little money it was (think 150CYN each) to visit both the Drum and Bell Tower. It was well worth the money! The views from the top were fantastic and...More

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank tomsF5110SS

Vishnu_Pendyala

San Jose, California

268341

Reviewed November 28, 2018

A good end-point after walking through the hutongs

I followed the hike through the hutongs recommended in Lonely Planet's tour book to reach here. The stairs are indeed steep (see my photos), the views of the skyline, houhai lake, Beihai park, etc are magnificent, and the experience is worth it. Time it so...More

Date of experience: November 2018

Thank Vishnu_Pendyala

reginafug

Mossel Bay, South Africa

491744

Reviewed November 9, 2018 via mobile

Bell and Drum Towers near Forbidden City

We visited the Bell and Drum Towers on a self tour, on our way to a Hutong meander Our hotel gave us one of those "tear off" maps, highlighting pretty much anything of interest in Beijing. This was a featured attraction. Shock! Very steep stairs!...More

Date of experience: January 2018

1 Thank reginafug

pacmybags

London, United Kingdom

4527

Reviewed October 30, 2018 via mobile

It is what it is

It’s just two towers. No idea why lonely planet think this is a top ten. There are views at the top admittedly but nothing special. It’s cheap to visit so if you’re passing, go up. Otherwise don’t bother.

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank pacmybags

G07

London, United Kingdom

322130

Reviewed October 28, 2018 via mobile

Be ready for a climb.

There are 69 steep steps up to the drum tower. It's just about worth it but nothing special . The view is good and there are lots of drums to see.

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank G07

ST23

New Albany, Ohio

30078

Reviewed October 17, 2018 via mobile

Check out the tea ceremony while there

Visited the Bell and Drum Towers and while interested in the history, we were entranced with the tea drinking ceremony offered in the bell tower. A bit touristy but very interesting and educational. Adjacent tea shop provides opportunities to purchase the teas that are sampled....More

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank ST23

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Questions & Answers

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See all 6 questions

luzktreter

Does it have an entrance fee? If ever, how much?

December 13, 2017|

AnswerShow all 5 answers

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... More

77sharifah

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.

September 28, 2017|

AnswerShow all 6 answers

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... More

bellaroda

Hello Is it worth going and see them from outside? Because we cannot climb the stairs. Do we hear the drums from outside? Tks

January 21, 2017|

AnswerShow all 12 answers

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!

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Response fromjkersey|

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