- The Bell and Drum Tower
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The Bell and Drum Tower in Shanhaiguan was built by General Xu Da when building Shanhaiguan City, and the original location was in the vicinity of the North Street. In the 14th year of Wanli (1586), it was successfully moved to the city center, so it was also known as the central building. In 1952, due to years of collapse, it was removed. On March 19, 2004, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bell and Drum Tower as the landmark project of the protection and development of the ancient city of Shanhaiguan was held, and the project was completed in September that year.
The Bell and Drum Tower in Shanhaiguan is located in the center on the intersection of four streets in the east, west, north and south. Its lower part is a square platform, 8.26 meters high. On the platform is Wenchang Hall, with 3 broad rooms and 1 deep room, double-layered, 13.3 meters high. The first floor is surrounded by corridor, and the second floor is surrounded by the seats, with double eaves and gable and hip roof.
The Bell and Drum Tower consists of the bell tower, the drum tower and Wenchang Hall, three in one, with unique characteristics. This architectural shape is very rare in the country. Inside Wenchang Hall worshiped Wenchang Wang, who was originally the generic term of the six stars in the sky. According to legends, he was an immortal dominating the fame. He was a clean official, and turned into incarnation in the world for seventy three times, to rescue people from hardships, save people from urgency, compassionate their solitary and tolerance their guilt.
The Bell and Drum Tower is a pavilion-style building for timekeeping in ancient China. The bell and drum were originally ancient instruments, because they sounded deep and spread far away, people enlarged the volume of bell and drum into large bell and drum for timekeeping. Ancient Chinese Bell and Drum Tower originated in Han Dynasty, according to historical records, there had been the system of morning bell and dusk bell as early as the Han Dynastym. There were three types of Bell and Drum Towers, one was built in the palace, beginning from Sui Dynasty, ending in Ming Dynasty. One was built in the center of a city, mostly two-story buildings, for alarm and timekeeping. Another was built in temples specifically for the use of Buddhist affairs.
The Bell and Drum Tower is an important part of Shanhaiguan City. Since Ming and Qing Dynasties, it has become a place for important military and political dignitaries and literati to ascend and view the landscape, taste tea and write poem. After the restoration of the ancient city, the powerful morning bell drum was also restored. Whenever the New Year is approaching, melodious ring sounds on the Bell and Drum Tower, telling people the arrival of the New Year, blessing for happiness and fitness!