Have you ever heard of the 108 beats? In ancient China, time was measured using their own intricate system—one deeply rooted in numerology and traditional Chinese worldviews. Just as church bells once marked the hours in European cities, ancient Chinese cities like Beijing relied on Drum Towers and Bell Towers to keep the rhythm of society in sync. The deep, resonating sounds of the drums were traditionally used to mark time during the night, while the Bell Tower took over during the day. But the system was more complex than it might seem—ancient China didn’t follow the 24-hour format we use today.
If this topic piques your interest and you’d like to explore it further, a visit to Beijing Drum Tower is a must. And even if you’re just here for the views, it’s well worth a stop—both towers are stunning architectural landmarks in their own right.
Location: 北京鼓樓
Cost: Have to purchase entrance ticket
How to get there: By metro or Didi (taxi)
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In my travel story about Beijing Drum tower:
First Impressions: Beijing Drum Tower’s Striking Exterior
As we approach the Beijing Drum Tower, its grand façade immediately commands attention. Like many historic Chinese structures, it’s rich in intricate detail—elaborate painted patterns trace the roofline, and golden golden lace gleams against the deep red backdrop. Those iconic, slightly upturned roof corners are adorned with rows of tiny statuettes, a feature you’ll spot on many ancient buildings across China.
Fun fact: these roof figurines weren’t just decorative—the number of them once signified how important the building was.
Across the square stands the Bell Tower, like a quiet sibling to the Drum Tower. It mirrors some of the architectural features, but with a contrasting gray stone façade and a more subdued presence.
You can purchase a ticket to explore both towers or choose to visit just one. Personally, I found Beijing Drum Tower more intriguing—and here’s why.
The Museum on the First Floor of Beijing Drum Tower
Here, you’ll learn all about those mysterious 108 beats, ancient Chinese timekeeping methods, and the tower’s architectural evolution. A few interactive displays let you tap out rhythms on virtual drums or ring a digital bell—simple, but fun.
But it’s the second floor of Beijing’s Drum Tower that I’m really here for. The catch? You have to conquer one of the steepest staircases I’ve ever encountered. Let’s just say—the climb is nothing short of thrilling.
The Drum Performance in Beijing Drum Tower
The second floor opens into a spacious hall with towering red columns and brightly painted ceilings. Lined up along one wall are massive drums, with a colossal central drum taking the spotlight. While these are modern replicas, off to the side lies the aged carcass of a real ancient drum—faded, cracked, and full of stories.
The real highlight of Beijing Drum Tower is the drum performance, which happens several times a day. Judging by the growing crowd, we’ve arrived just in time.
Three drummers stride in, take their places at the central drums—and suddenly, the room is alive with a pump-up rhythm that is sure to get you excited. The performers strike different parts of the drums to create varied tones, working in perfect sync to build a rhythm that will stick in your head for hours.
The performance isn’t long, but somehow it feels like there were way more than 108 beats… Maybe I just lost count! Either way, the drum show at Beijing’s Drum Tower was a lot of fun. But before we head out, let’s step onto the balcony to take in the views.
The Panoramic Views from Beijing Drum Tower
It turns out the Drum Tower also serves as an observation deck, offering sweeping panoramic views of Beijing. On this particular day, a soft veil of smog hangs in the air, turning the distant skyline into a fading watercolor. I think there are some high-rises far off in the distance, but they’re barely distinguishable. From here, it’s mostly a labyrinth of rooftops from Beijing’s historic hutongs—a unique sight you won’t find anywhere else.
With that we have seen everything that Beijing drum tower has to offer and are ready to go explore the next attraction in Beijing.
Thoughts?
If you’re the kind of traveler who loves diving deep into history and the stories behind the places you visit, then the Beijing Drum Tower is a perfect stop. As the story of Beijing’s Drum tower is what makes the experience unique. Just make sure to time your visit so you don’t miss the drum performance.
PS: if you’re planning a trip to China – check out my list of tips, tricks and things you need to know when planning a China trip. It covers the basics like payments, navigation and more.
Read my full China travel story