Beijing's Drum and Bell Towers

This is Beijing's  Drum Tower, viewed from the Bell Tower, both of which lie north of  Forbidden City.  In ancient times these150' structures towered over the city.  Originally built in the 13th century, they were rebuilt twice because of fires.  The drums and bell were used to announce time and regulate life in Beijing for over 700 years, until the last emperor left Forbidden City in 1924.  At dawn and again at dusk, first the drum would sound and then the bell would ring.  At the sounding of the bell at dusk, the city gate would close and traffic was cleared from the streets.  

This is the only drum remaining of the original 25.  

Five young people gave a performance several times a day on replica drums at the top of the Drum Tower.  I watched the young man in the middle get warmed up by jumping rope back in the shadows a few minutes before show time.

These steep stairs down from the Drum Tower were a thrill for someone like me who's not especially fond of heights.  Following me was a young man helping his elderly grandmother navigate each step, quite a harrowing descent.

The original Bell Tower from the13th century burned down and its successor burned, too.  This one was built during the Qing dynasty in the 18th century. The bronze bell inside the arched open door on the second floor is the largest and heaviest of its kind in China.  It's 23 feet high and weighs 63 tons.   Nowadays the bell is rung only on New Year's Eve.

The minder at the top of the Bell Tower took advantage of a slow tourist day to practice his calligraphy.

View of hutongs in the foreground and high rises in the distance, taken from the Bell Tower.