Yongchang Bell and Drum Tower

The long Silk Road and the majestic Qilian Mountains have nurtured a beautiful and magical land. In the middle section of the ancient Silk Road, on the eastern part of the Hexi Corridor, at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, lies an ancient county town with a long history and rich culture—Yongchang County! Here, the magnificent and beautiful natural landscapes make it a unique sight. Here, the profound and deep human history makes it a place of spiritual and cultural significance. Here, there is a Bell and Drum Tower that rivals the ancient capitals of thirteen dynasties! According to historical records, the construction of Bell and Drum Towers originated in the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty. As early as the Han Dynasty, major cities had the system of "drumming at dawn to wake people up and ringing the bell at night to signal rest." By the Tang Dynasty, the bustling capitals often adopted the ward system, setting up bells and drums at the city center as the timekeeping center for the entire city. The gates of each ward and palace would open and close according to the sound of the bells and drums in the morning and evening. Today, the function of the Bell and Drum Tower to "ring the morning bell and beat the evening drum, with the sound heard far and wide" no longer exists, but its role in "promoting culture and educating the people" continues to this day.