Drum Tower, A Time-Honored Beacon of Ancient Wisdom

Dongjie Street Neighborhood, Gulou, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province

Landmark buildings in the ancient city

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Introduction

During the Ming Dynasty, many towers were built in Datong, including the Taiping Tower in Heyang Street, the Zhong Tower in Qingyuan Street, the Kui Star Tower in Wuding Street, and the Drum Tower in Yongtai Street. The Drum Tower and Bell Tower were a pair of buildings that could be used to report time. They were renovated during the reigns of Shunzhi, Qianlong, and Xianfeng. Only the Drum Tower remains today. The floor plan of the Drum Tower is nearly square, with a width and depth of three intervals each, and a height of about 20 meters. It is approximately 18 meters long on the east-west axis and 14 meters wide on the north-south axis. The bottom is surrounded by blue stones, with a large cross-shaped central gate. The upper part is a three-story brick and wood structure, each with flying eaves and brackets, and the top is a cross-shaped hipped roof. Each floor has doors, corridors, and railing fences. There used to be a large drum hanging on the Drum Tower for reporting time at night, but it no longer exists.

Address

Dongjie Street Neighborhood, Gulou, Pingcheng District, Datong City, Shanxi Province

Opening hours

09:00-18:00 (full day)
Last admission time: 18:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1 - December 31).

Transportation

Take Bus 17 or 18 to Gu Lou Station in the city and get off.