
Chapter 1 / Beijing
Beijing Bell and Drum Towers.
Start with Beijing Bell and Drum Towers. Let a detail decide which thread you follow next.
Pause here. What detail would you keep from this place?
Outdoor walks and façade observations. Interior admission is not included.
The full story
Beijing Bell and Drum Towers reveals how the paired towers served as Beijing's official timekeeping. Look also for how steep stairs lead to large drums, the bronze.
Beijing Bell and Drum Towers brings the paired towers served as Beijing's official timekeeping into focus. Around Beijing Bell and Drum Towers, steep stairs lead to large drums, the bronze adds a counterpoint. Here, form and function meet at Beijing Bell and Drum Towers. The pairing suggests a deliberate pace. At Beijing Bell and Drum Towers, allow enough time for both details.
- The paired towers served as Beijing's official timekeeping center through the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties
- Steep stairs lead to large drums, the bronze bell and views across the surrounding hutongs
Check the official visitor page before setting out; hours, reservations and temporary closures can change.
Pair this stop with one nearby anchor and keep a longer cross-city transfer out of the same short window.
What is pulling you next?
Another door into this story

















