Drum & Bell Tower

Drum and Bell Tower (Gulou & Zhonglou): Beijing's Ancient Timekeepers

Standing at the northern end of Beijing's central axis, the Drum Tower (Gulou) and Bell Tower (Zhonglou) are two of the city's most atmospheric historic landmarks. For over 700 years, these towers served as Beijing's official timekeeping instruments, with massive drums and a giant bronze bell marking the hours for the entire imperial capital. Today, they offer visitors an unforgettable window into old Beijing — the kind of place where you can feel the pulse of centuries beneath your feet while gazing out over a sea of traditional gray-tiled rooftops stretching in every direction.

Unlike the grandeur of the Forbidden City or the scale of the Great Wall, the Drum and Bell Tower area delivers something more intimate: a genuine taste of Beijing neighborhood life. The surrounding hutong alleyways are among the best-preserved in the city, and the towers themselves sit at a crossroads between the old and the new. This is not a polished tourist zone — it is a living, breathing piece of Beijing history.

Why Visit the Drum and Bell Tower

The Drum and Bell Tower complex is special for several reasons. First, it is one of the few places in Beijing where you can climb to a significant height and see the old city's rooftop landscape without modern skyscrapers blocking the view. Second, the drum performance held inside the Drum Tower is a genuinely thrilling cultural experience — the sound of 25 replica drums being struck in unison reverberates through your chest. Third, the location is perfect: wedged between the hip Nanluoguxiang hutong to the east and the scenic Houhai Lake to the west, the towers serve as a natural anchor point for a full day of exploring old Beijing on foot.

The Drum Tower (Gulou) was originally built in 1272 during the Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan, making it one of the oldest standing structures in Beijing. The current building dates from a 1420 Ming Dynasty reconstruction. The Bell Tower (Zhonglou), sitting directly behind it to the north, was rebuilt in 1747 during the Qing Dynasty entirely from brick and stone after a fire destroyed the original wooden structure. Together, they represent a continuous thread of Beijing's urban history spanning over seven centuries.

What to See and Do

The Drum Tower (Gulou) is the first tower you will encounter, a massive 47-meter-tall wooden structure painted in faded red. The steep climb up 69 wooden steps is part of the experience — the staircase is narrow and worn smooth by millions of feet over the centuries. At the top, you will find a large hall containing 25 drums. One original drum from the Qing Dynasty remains, its leather surface scarred with cuts from the swords of foreign soldiers during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The other 24 are modern replicas. Throughout the day, performers give short but powerful drumming demonstrations that are absolutely worth timing your visit around. Performances typically happen on the hour, but check the schedule posted at the entrance for exact times.

The Bell Tower (Zhonglou) stands about 100 meters north of the Drum Tower across a small public square. It is slightly taller at 48 meters and built entirely of gray brick and stone, giving it a more austere appearance. Inside hangs a massive bronze bell weighing 63 tons — the largest and heaviest ancient bell in China. The climb here is even steeper, with a narrow stone staircase spiraling upward. The panoramic views from the top are arguably even better than the Drum Tower, with a clear view south along Beijing's central axis all the way to the distant outline of the Forbidden City's rooftops.

The Square Between the Towers is a wonderful place to linger. In the mornings, you will see elderly locals practicing tai chi or playing with their grandchildren. In the evenings, especially in summer, the square comes alive with people sitting on benches, chatting, and enjoying the cool air. This is one of those rare spots where tourist Beijing and local Beijing overlap naturally.

Surrounding Hutongs should not be missed. The alleyways radiating out from the towers — particularly to the east and west — contain some of Beijing's most photogenic traditional courtyard homes (siheyuan). Wander without a fixed route and you will discover hidden temples, tiny noodle shops, elderly residents playing chess on the sidewalk, and the occasional cat sleeping on a warm doorstep.

Suggested Walking Route

Start your exploration at the Drum Tower itself. After climbing and watching the drum performance, cross the square north to the Bell Tower and climb for the panoramic views. From the Bell Tower, walk east along Zhonglou Wan Hutong, a quiet residential lane that curves gently past traditional courtyard homes. This will connect you to Mao'er Hutong, one of Beijing's most famous hutong streets, home to beautifully restored courtyard houses and the former residence of Wan Rong, the last empress of China. Continue south along Mao'er Hutong to reach Nanluoguxiang, the popular pedestrian hutong street with shops, cafes, and street food. From there, you can head west through smaller hutongs to reach Houhai Lake, completing a perfect loop through old Beijing. The entire walk takes roughly 2 to 3 hours at a leisurely pace, not counting time spent in shops or restaurants.

Practical Information

Tickets: The combined ticket for both towers costs 30 CNY (approximately 4 USD). Individual tickets are not available — the combined ticket is the only option. Children under 1.2 meters enter free. Student discounts are available with a valid student ID, typically half price at 15 CNY.

Opening Hours: The towers are open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM. Note that the towers close on Mondays for maintenance, which is common for Beijing's cultural sites. The drum performances typically run every 30 minutes to one hour during opening hours — exact schedules are posted at the ticket office.

How to Get There: The most convenient subway station is Guloudajie Station (Line 2 and Line 8). Take Exit G and walk north along Gulou East Street for about 5 minutes. The Drum Tower will be directly ahead of you. Alternatively, Shichahai Station (Line 8) is about a 10-minute walk to the west if you want to approach from the Houhai Lake side.

Tips for Foreign Visitors: Bring your passport — you will need it to purchase tickets at most Beijing attractions. The ticket office accepts both cash (CNY only) and mobile payment (WeChat Pay or Alipay). International credit cards are generally not accepted at the ticket window. If you do not have WeChat Pay or Alipay set up, bring cash in small denominations. There are ATMs accepting international cards at the Bank of China branch on Di'anmen East Street, about a 5-minute walk south.

Payment in the Area: The surrounding hutong area is increasingly foreigner-friendly for payments. Many cafes and restaurants now accept international credit cards, particularly the newer, more tourist-oriented establishments. However, small street food vendors and traditional shops still operate on cash or mobile payment only. Having 100-200 CNY in cash is a smart backup.

Food and Drink Recommendations

Yaoji Chaogan (姚记炒肝) — Located on Gulou East Street just south of the Drum Tower, this no-frills local restaurant is famous for its chao gan (stir-fried liver stew), a classic Beijing breakfast dish. It is thick, savory, and an acquired taste, but an authentic experience. A bowl costs around 15-22 CNY. They also serve excellent baozi (steamed buns) for around 8 CNY per basket.

Zhang Mama (张妈妈特色小吃) — A small family-run restaurant on the east side of the Drum Tower square, known for homestyle Sichuan-influenced dishes. The dan dan noodles and mapo tofu are outstanding. Most dishes cost 25-45 CNY. No English menu, but the staff is used to pointing and gesturing with foreign visitors.

Café Zarah — Located on Gulou East Street, this is a popular spot for Western-style coffee and light meals. It has a lovely second-floor terrace with partial views toward the Drum Tower. An Americano runs about 35 CNY. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Stuff'd — A small dumpling restaurant on Gulou East Street offering creative fusion dumplings alongside traditional flavors. Portions of 10 dumplings cost around 38-48 CNY. English menu and English-speaking staff make it very foreigner-friendly.

For Street Food: Walk through the hutongs east of the Bell Tower and you will find vendors selling jianbing (savory crepes, 8-12 CNY), tanghulu (candied hawthorn skewers, 10-15 CNY), and roasted sweet potatoes in winter (10 CNY). These vendors are cash-only.

Tips and Best Time to Visit

Best Season: Autumn (September to November) is the ideal time to visit the Drum and Bell Tower area. The air is clear, the temperatures are comfortable, and the hutong trees turn golden. Spring (April to May) is also excellent. Summer is hot and humid, while winter is bitterly cold — but a winter visit has its own stark beauty, especially after a rare Beijing snowfall when the towers look absolutely magical.

Best Time of Day: Arrive when the towers open at 9:00 AM to beat the crowds and catch the first drum performance with fewer spectators. Late afternoon (around 3:30-4:00 PM) is another good window — the light turns warm and golden, perfect for photography, and the crowds have thinned. Avoid midday on weekends when Chinese tour groups are most common.

Crowd Tip: The towers are busy during Chinese national holidays — Golden Week (October 1-7) and Chinese New Year (late January or February) being the worst. If your trip overlaps with these dates, arrive at opening time.

Physical Fitness: The climb up both towers involves steep, narrow staircases with no elevator option. The steps are uneven and can be slippery. Wear shoes with good grip. People with mobility issues or severe fear of heights should consider carefully. The Drum Tower staircase is slightly easier than the Bell Tower's spiral stone steps.

Language: Signage inside the towers is bilingual (Chinese and English). Audio guides are available in English at the ticket office for a small deposit. The drum performance does not require language comprehension — it is a purely visceral, musical experience.

Photography Spots

The Classic Shot: Stand in the square between the two towers and face south toward the Drum Tower. In the morning, the eastern light hits the red facade beautifully. This is the postcard angle that appears in most guidebooks.

Rooftop Panorama from the Bell Tower: The viewing platform atop the Bell Tower offers a 360-degree view. Face south for the iconic shot looking down Beijing's central axis, with the Drum Tower in the foreground and the Forbidden City faintly visible in the distance. This is one of the best skyline photographs you can take in old Beijing.

Drum Performance: Photography is allowed during the drum performances. Position yourself to one side rather than directly in front — the side angle captures the drummers' intensity and the row of drums more dramatically. Video is arguably better here, as the sound is a huge part of the experience.

Hutong Views from Above: From the top of either tower, look east or west for sweeping views over the hutong rooftops. The gray tiles, the occasional tree bursting through a courtyard, and the distant modern skyline create a striking contrast between old and new Beijing. Use a telephoto lens (or phone zoom) to compress the layers.

The Bell Tower at Twilight: If you time your visit to exit around 4:30-5:00 PM in autumn, walk about 50 meters north of the Bell Tower and turn around. The fading light behind the gray stone tower creates a moody, atmospheric shot. The streetlights in the square just beginning to glow add warmth to the composition.

Street-Level Hutong Shots: The narrow hutong lanes east of the towers provide endless opportunities for candid street photography — red lanterns, ornate doorways, bicycles leaning against ancient brick walls, and the daily life of Beijing residents going about their routines. Early morning is best for this, when the light is soft and the streets are quiet.

The Drum and Bell Tower area remains one of Beijing's most rewarding destinations for travelers who want to experience something beyond the headline attractions. It is compact enough to explore in a half day, yet rich enough to merit a return visit. Combined with the adjacent hutongs and Houhai Lake, it forms the heart of what many longtime Beijing residents consider the soul of the city.