Nanjing Bell Tower, Bell tower in Xuanwu District, China
The Nanjing Bell Tower is a six-sided structure with a pyramidal roof and double eaves that rises approximately 14.5 meters high. A large bronze bell is suspended from an iron frame inside, occupying the central vertical space of the tower.
The tower dates to the Ming Dynasty and houses one of only four surviving bells from that period. Two additional original bells were lost over the centuries, making this preserved structure a rare example of that era.
The bell tower served as an acoustic landmark that guided residents through the city with its regular sounds. Today, visitors can still appreciate how this structure functioned as a central reference point in the daily rhythm of Nanjing life.
The tower is located at the intersection of Zhongyang Road northeast of the Drum Tower and is accessible from the street. As a protected cultural site, visitors should check access conditions before visiting since entry may be limited.
The horizontal bell from the Ming Dynasty inside the tower remains functional and represents a rare example of bronze work that stayed in its original location. This sets the Nanjing tower apart from many other structures whose original components were either lost or relocated to museums.
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