Gulou and Zhonglou, Ancient drum and bell towers in Andingmen district, China

Gulou and Zhonglou are two towers on Beijing's central axis at the north end of Di'anmen Street. The Drum Tower is a 46.7 m wooden structure on a 4 m stone base with arched gateways; the Bell Tower, 100 m north, is a 47.95 m brick-and-stone tower with a 42-ton bronze bell cast in the Yongle era.

These towers originated in the Yuan Dynasty and continued to function through the Qing Dynasty as the city's primary timekeeping system. They were the center of urban life, with sounds marking hours and regulating the rhythm of daily activity.

The towers display traditional Chinese architecture through their multi-tiered wooden structures and symmetrical design. Visitors can watch drum performances today that bring the historical timekeeping function to life.

Visitors must climb steep stairs to reach the observation areas, as there are no elevators available. Drum performances happen at set times throughout the day, so it helps to plan your visit around these demonstrations.

The 108 strokes followed a fixed pattern: 18 quick, 18 slow, then 18 at a moderate pace, repeated three times at dusk and again at dawn. A clepsydra kept time until the Qing, when incense sticks and court-appointed drummers took over.