Bell and Drum Towers Ⅱ

Drum Tower
The Drum Tower was built in 1272 during the reign of Kublai Khan, when it stood at the very heart of the Yuan capital Khanbaliq. At that time it was known as the Tower of Orderly Administration (Qizhenglou), which means seven administrations- gold, wood, water, fire, earth, sun and moon. Later it was burnt down by fire. Then it was rebuilt in the first year of the reign of Emperor Cheng Zong of the Yuan Dynasty. In the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty it was rebuilt again.

Being 46.7 meters (153 feet) high, the Drum Tower is an arched wooden structure with three layers of upturned eaves, covered with grey tube-shaped tiles and edged with green glazed tiles. In the past there was a Bronze Clepsydra, 24 drums and one main drum on the second floor, but now only the drumhead remains there.