Zhangye Bell & Drum Tower

Introducing Zhangye Bell & Drum Tower
Zhangye Bell & Drum Tower is also known as Zhenyuan Tower. Zhangye Bell & Drum Tower dominates the heart of Zhangye City in Gansu Province. Built in 1507, it is the largest surviving tower of its kind in the province, having witnessed over five centuries of change. Its architecture whispers a conversation between cultures – Han, Tibetan, Hui, and more – their voices harmonizing in a symphony of carved beams, intricate brackets, and rafters painted with stories.

Among the Tower’s many treasures is a remarkable Tang Dynasty (618-907) bell, hung on the southeast corner. The bell’s surface is adorned with images of the Chinese guardians of the four cardinal directions – the Vermilion Bird, the Black Tortoise, the White Tiger, the Azure Dragon, and even flying apsaras (celestial beings). This 600-kilogram (1,322 pounds) bell, once used to mark the passage of time and signal important events, now serves as a window into the past.

Zhangye Bell & Drum Tower Fast Facts
• AKA: Zhenyuan Tower, Jingyuan Tower
• Chinese Name: Zhāng Yè Zhōng Gǔ Lóu 张掖钟鼓楼
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 15 – 30 x minutes
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture
• Opening Hours: All Day
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Address: 11 South Street, Ganzhou District, Zhangye, Gansu Province

What to Expect at Zhangye Bell & Drum Tower
The Bell & Drum Tower, a three-story brick structure, stands 28 meters (91.8 ft) high with its flying eaves, carved beams, and painted rafters. Each side features an arched doorway, marked by a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) plaque: ‘Xusheng’ (Rising Sun) to the east, ‘Binsheng’ (Welcoming Prosperity) to the west, ‘Yingxun’ (Fragrant Breeze) to the south, and ‘Zhenyuan’ (Guarding the Frontier) to the north, highlighting Zhangye’s historical importance.

The first floor displays brown plaques with green inscriptions celebrating local scenery: ‘Jincheng Chunyu’ (Spring Rain in Jincheng), ‘Yuguan Xiaoyue’ (Dawn Moon at Yumen Pass), ‘Qilian Qingxue’ (Clear Snow on Qilian Mountains), and ‘Juyan Gumu’ (Ancient Pasture of Juyan). The second floor features gold-on-blue plaques reflecting grander aspirations: ‘Jiuchong Zaiwang’ (The Imperial Palace in Sight) to the east, ‘Wanguo Xianbin’ (Welcoming All Nations as Guests) to the west, ‘Shengjiao Sida’ (Education and Influence Reaching Far and Wide), and ‘Hushang Yilan’ (Panoramic View of Lakes and Mountains).

How to Get to Zhangye Bell & Drum Tower
• By Bus: Take bus 1, 31 to Gongshang yinhang (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China) Station.