Beijing Bell & Drum Towers to Shichahai | Exploring Old Beijing's History, Culture, Street Food

00:00 Beijing Bell Tower
02:12 Drum Tower, Beijing
04:41 Ancient Drums Demonstration
07:30 Old Beijing Street View
08:23 Beijing Rickshaw Stand and Ride
08:50 Sundial – A Device That Measures Time via the Shadow Cast by the Sun
09:24 Skyline View
09:52 Visit to Traditional Fan Shop
12:03 Zhongzi Making at Street Shop
13:25 Shichahai Old Beijing Street Stroll
17:37 Gongfu Temple Visit
18:27 Shichahai Shopping Street Stroll

00:00 Beijing Bell Tower

The Beijing Bell Tower is one of the most famous historical landmarks in China's capital. Originally built during the Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty, it served as the city's official timekeeping center for centuries. The giant bronze bell housed inside weighs approximately 63 tons and could be heard across ancient Beijing. Together with the nearby Drum Tower, it regulated daily life before modern clocks existed. Today, the Bell Tower remains an important symbol of Beijing's rich cultural heritage and traditional architecture.

02:12 Drum Tower, Beijing

Located beside the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower was used to announce the hours throughout the night in imperial Beijing. The structure houses a collection of large traditional drums that once helped keep time for the entire city. Visitors can learn how ancient Chinese timekeeping worked before the invention of mechanical clocks. The Drum Tower also offers beautiful views of Beijing's historic central axis. Its impressive wooden architecture reflects the craftsmanship of ancient China.

04:41 Ancient Drums Demonstration

Inside the Drum Tower, visitors can witness performances featuring traditional Chinese drums. These massive drums produce powerful sounds that once echoed across the capital. The demonstration showcases ancient ceremonial music and timekeeping traditions. Skilled performers recreate historical drum sequences used during imperial times. It is a fascinating glimpse into China's musical and cultural heritage.

07:30 Old Beijing Street View
08:23 Beijing Rickshaw Stand and Ride

Rickshaws remain one of the most popular ways to explore Beijing's historic hutongs. A ride through these ancient alleyways provides visitors with a unique perspective of local life. The drivers often share stories about the area's history and culture.

08:50 Sundial – Measuring Time by the Sun

Before mechanical clocks were introduced, sundials were widely used to measure time. These ingenious devices track the movement of the sun's shadow throughout the day.

📍 Beijing Drum Tower & Bell Tower (鼓楼·钟楼)
Address

Drum Tower (鼓楼)
88 Gulou West Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
北京市东城区鼓楼西大街88号

Bell Tower (钟楼)
Directly north of the Drum Tower, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.

🗺️ Map Links

Google Maps
Beijing Drum Tower & Bell Tower (Google Maps)

Baidu Maps
北京鼓楼 (Baidu Maps)

Tencent Maps
北京鼓楼 (Tencent Maps)

Apple Maps
Beijing Drum Tower (Apple Maps)

🚇 How to Reach
Most Convenient Metro Route
Take Beijing Subway Line 8
Get off at Shichahai Station (什刹海站)
Exit A2
Walk approximately 5 minutes to the Drum Tower.
Alternative Metro Route
Take Line 2 or Line 8
Get off at Gulou Dajie Station (鼓楼大街站)
Exit G
Walk about 10 minutes to the Bell & Drum Towers.
📍 Shichahai Old Town (什刹海)
Address

Shichahai Scenic Area
Xicheng District, Beijing, China
北京市西城区什刹海风景区

🗺️ Map Links

Google Maps
Shichahai Scenic Area (Google Maps)

Baidu Maps
什刹海 (Baidu Maps)

Tencent Maps
什刹海 (Tencent Maps)

Apple Maps
Shichahai (Apple Maps)

🚇 How to Reach Shichahai
By Metro (Recommended)
Take Line 8
Get off at Shichahai Station (什刹海站)
Exit A2
You will arrive directly beside the scenic area, close to Houhai Lake and the Drum Tower.
Best Walking Route

Shichahai Station A2 → Yandai Xiejie → Drum Tower → Bell Tower → Houhai Lake → Shichahai Hutongs.

Nearby Attractions
Beijing Drum Tower
Beijing Bell Tower
Yandai Xiejie
Houhai
Nanluoguxiang
Best Time to Visit

🌅 Sunset (5:00–7:30 PM) for photography
🌙 Evening (7:00–10:00 PM) for the beautiful lake views, traditional hutongs, restaurants, bars, and illuminated Drum Tower area.

Beijing Bell Tower
Beijing Drum Tower
Old Beijing Streets
Shichahai Walking Tour
Beijing Hutong Tour
Traditional Chinese Fans
Chinese Handicrafts
Ancient Chinese Architecture
Beijing Rickshaw Ride
China Travel Guide
Historic Beijing Tour
Ancient Chinese Timekeeping
Traditional Chinese Culture
Beijing Attractions
Beijing Sightseeing
China Street Food
Zongzi Making Process
Dragon Boat Festival Food
Chinese Heritage Sites
Beijing City Walk
Beijing Travel Vlog
China History Tour
Traditional Beijing Life
Chinese Fan Craftsmanship
Ancient Chinese Drums
Historic China Travel
Beijing Cultural Tour
Traditional Chinese Temple
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#Zongzi
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