Modifying the description and adding potential components
Deletion: Bell and Drum Towers of China
- I am not sure if other components were identified, but it may be more useful to remain with the TWHS.
Bell and drum towers were originally used for events and ceremonies held in palaces. As early as Eastern Han period, bells and drums were installed in market towers, watch-towers or city gates to indicate time or control traffic flow. By the Yuan Dynasty, bells and drum towers began to be symmetrically constructed in cities. By Ming and Qing dynasties provincial cities erected their own in east-west or west-east symmetries. In some cases, only one of the towers is constructed on the size and influence of the city. Drum and bell towers in cities predates the similar layout in temples.
Most of the towers were destroyed during cultural revolution and succeeding development. Some towers survive with significant components from Ming and Qing dynasties. Nowadays, most cities have recently rebuilt their towers.
(Potential components based on my research).· XianXian Bell Tower
- wooden tower in traditional Ming-style using no nails which marked the geographic center of the ancient capital. At 36m, it is the the best-preserved of its kind in China. Originally built in 1384 but was relocated 1000 m to its current location in 1582. Except for the base, all parts are original. Xian Drum Tower
- located northwest of the bell tower. Originally built in 1380 Ming Dynasty but renovated twice in 1699 and 1740 during Qing Dynasty. · Beijing
- Drum and Bell towers were built North - south orientation instead of the common east-west.Beijing Bell Tower
- two story brick and stone building. The 48 m structure was originally built in the 13th century. The current structure dates back from the 18th century reconstruction.Beijing Drum Tower
- two story building at 46.7 m high with stone and brick base. First structure built in 1272 but was later burnt down. Current structure can be dated to the 1745 Qing dynasty reconstruction. Protected as a cultural relic since 1957. Originally, there was one big drum and 24 smaller ones, but only the big remains. · Zhangye, GansuBell and Drum Tower
(Zhenyuan Tower) - Built to pattern from Xian Bell tower. It is biggest drum tower of the Hexi Corridor. Built in 1507 during the Ming dynasty and destroyed by war in 1648. Rebuilt in 1668. This tower has three stories which is a traditional Chinese architecture with plentiful and splendid cornice and fine carving. Contains a massive bronze bell on trhe southeast corner that is delicately decorated with patterns of flying asparas, dragons and tigers.· NanjingDrum Tower
- Shaped like a traditional city gate with square foundation made of stone. First built in 1382 but destroyed and rebuilt several times. The existing structure dates back at the end of Qing dynasty. The stone foundation, for which the tower rests, is the original one from the Ming dynasty.
Big Bell Pavilion - Lies northeast, opposite and facing the drum tower. Current structure dates back to 1889 but the horizontal bells were original from Ming Dynasty. The pavilion has a pyramidal roof, double eaves and six sides, with a height of 14.5 meters.· Datong, ShanxiDrum Tower
- Three storeys tower at 18.33 m. The first storey is built of bluestones, and the second and the third storey are built of wood and bricks. It was built in Ming dynasty and underwent several renovations during the Qing dynasty. Designated as historical site under special protection since 1966, Tower was repaired in 1978 and 1985. · Dai County, Xinzhou, ShanxiBianjing Drum Tower
- Original structure, built in 1374, was destroyed by fire in 1471. The present tower was built in 1476. Restored 4 times during Qing dynasty and also in 1957, 1976, and 1986. Declared as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at National Level in 2001. · Zhenchong, GuizhouDrum Tower
- Oldest extant drum tower in China, built in 1672 and with a traditional Dong tower structure.