RSSBeijing Hotels as Seen from the City’s Drum and Bell Towers
Jan 30
China Accommodation, affordable, beijing, cheap, China, Hotels, rooms, travel, Trip, vacation No Comments
Since Beijing is China’s capital, it has been home to many architectural wonders which served as defenses and halls to accept foreign guests. The emperor, known as the “Son of Heaven,” was the fulcrum of all the goings-on of the empire. It was through him that the country stood on its feet.
In this contemporary age, we can see numerous Beijing hotels standing peacefully side-by-side with these ancient wonders. It is indeed amazing to note how the old can coexist and complement the new. That is why it is important for us to remember that we must study the past for us to know the future. The sacrifices of the ancient Chinese have resulted into the country’s emergence as one of today’s superpowers.
When staying in Beijing hotels, do not forget to visit some of these wonderful ancient structures that were very important in the daily life of the city. Aside from the world-famous Great Wall, you must take a snapshot of Beijing’s drum and bell towers.
The Gulou, or the city’s drum tower, can be found at the northern end of the central axis of the Inner City. Originally built for musical reasons, then a time-telling edifice, it is now a famous tourist attraction. It is made up of two storeys and stands at 47 meters. Only one out of the 24 drums used in the ancient times can be seen today.
The bell tower, in Chinese terms, called Zhonglou, is very proximal to the drum tower. It stands 33 meters adorned with gray walls and a green glazed roof. Since they were the tallest structures in the city before, the people can see the amazing landscape without obstructions.
The Drum tower was built in 1272 during the reign of Kublai Khan. In 1420, the building was reconstructed to the east of the original site and in 1800, large-scale renovations were carried out. After a century, the Bell and Drum towers were finally opened to tourists in the 1980s.
The bells and drums were used as musical instruments in ancient China. After some time, they were used as watches for both the officials and the citizens. These two towers became the center of time telling during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. What’s more interesting is that you can still hear the rings of these ancient timepieces up to this day. These days, people already have their own wristwatches to keep track of the time. Whether they stay in Beijing hotels or in their respective homes, going to their daily tasks is never a problem.
These two towers, as we call them, are important pieces of Beijing’s history. True enough, time is of the essence. That’s why we invite you now to book your spacious rooms in any of the Beijing hotels and hop in to experience a tour that you will truly remember.
E. Larson is a long-time expatriate of Beijing, China. He works with the Henan Plaza Beijing and many other hotels in Beijing. Check out his website about the Henan Plaza Beijing here.
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