The Bell and Drum Tower in Zhangye (张掖鼓楼), also known as Zhenyuan Tower (镇远楼) and Jingyuan Tower (靖远楼), is a historical landmark with a rich heritage dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Established in the second year of Emperor Zhengde’s reign in 1507, the Bell and Drum Tower is a magnificent structure that showcases the architectural brilliance of its time.
Constructed from a combination of brick, earth, and wood, the Bell and Drum Tower stands at an impressive height of 21 meters. The structure is divided into two main parts: the lower platform and the upper pavilion. The base of the tower is a sturdy platform shaped like an inverted bucket, fortified with blue bricks and underpinned by stone strips at its foundation. The top of the platform features a one-meter-high parapet wall, while the central axes on all four sides have arched doorways, forming a cross-shaped floor plan. These doorways connect the tower to the four main streets of the ancient city of Ganzhou, facilitating easy passage.
Each side of the base features a central arched doorway, with brick-carved plaques above each door, inscribed with the names of the four gates. These plaques serve as a historical reminder of the ancient city’s layout and the significance of each gateway. Above the platform, the pavilion is a wooden structure with three exterior layers and two interior layers, capped with a double-eaved roof and four corner spires. The pavilion spans three rooms in width and depth, measuring 16 meters across, with stairs located at the northwest corner of the platform.
A notable feature of the Bell and Drum Tower is the large alloy copper bell from the Tang Dynasty that hangs from the pavilion. This bell, with its yellowish-green hue, stands at 1.3 meters in height and 1.1 meters in diameter. Shaped like a trumpet, the bell narrows at the top and widens at the base, adorned with eight ears along its circumference. The body of the bell is divided into four layers: the top layer features a bridge-shaped bell button with a height of 0.14 meters, decorated with an eight-petal lotus flower. The lower three layers are divided into twelve sections, each embossed with intricate designs of flying deities, Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.
The first layer of the pavilion’s four sides is adorned with brown plaques inscribed with green characters, inspired by the local scenic spots. Similarly, the second layer also features four blue plaques with golden inscriptions, adding to the tower’s historical and cultural charm.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 30 minutes |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 18.00 |
Location and Transportation
The Bell and Drum Tower, located in the heart of Zhangye City in Ganzhou District, Gansu Province, stands at the intersection of the city’s four main streets. To get there, you can take bus 1, 5, 9 Inner Loop Line, or 20 and get off at Bell and Drum Tower Stop (钟鼓楼站).
