Drum Tower

The Drum Tower used to be a time keeping center for the whole city and was equipped with bronze clepsydras and drums that were beaten to mark the hours. It was built in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220) and provides an overview of central Beijing before the modern era. The Drum Tower is a two-storey building; the second floor contains the exhibition area. It originally contained one big drum and 24 smaller drums, but only the big drum remains. The drum was beaten quickly for 18 times and then slowly for 18 times to mark the hour. You have the opportunity to climb to the top of Drum tower for an excellent view of drumming performance which lasts for 20 minutes.