Beijing Drum Tower Guide: History, Culture and Chinese Food
Beijing Drum Tower and nearby Gulou Street are icons of old Beijing. They hold over 700 years of history and charm. This guide blends history, culture, and Chinese food. Whether you climb the towers or taste street snacks, you will enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine and Asian delicacies here. Chinese food lovers will find both traditional Beijing snacks and modern treats waiting.
1. The History of Beijing Drum and Bell Towers
The Drum and Bell Towers marked time in Beijing for centuries. Built in the Yuan Dynasty, they stood as the heart of the city’s rhythm. The Drum Tower beat each evening, while the Bell Tower rang at dawn. This “morning bell and evening drum” tradition guided daily life until 1924. Today, the towers welcome visitors with culture, stories, and echoes of old Beijing.
A touching legend also lives here. During the Ming Dynasty, a craftsman’s daughter sacrificed herself to complete a great bronze bell. Locals believe the bell’s lingering sound is her gentle voice, searching for her red shoes. This tale makes the towers more than landmarks—they are symbols of loyalty and spirit.
2. Things to Do Around the Towers and Gulou Street
The Drum Tower offers grand red walls, steep steps, and an exhibition on Beijing’s Central Axis. Visitors can watch the drum performance of 108 beats, symbolizing the wisdom of the calendar. From the balcony, you see the Forbidden City, Beihai Park, and even the Olympic Tower.
The Bell Tower, with its blue bricks, houses the “King of Bells,” weighing 63 tons. Ancient timekeeping devices are displayed, showing the ingenuity of Chinese culture.
Gulou Street is lively and full of flavor. Walking here, you meet street food, modern coffee shops, and old Beijing charm. Sunset on the red walls makes perfect photos.
3. Where to Taste the Best Chinese Food
No trip here is complete without Chinese food. Gulou Street is packed with Beijing snacks and Asian street food.
- Yaoji Chaogan: Try fried liver stew with steamed buns, a true Beijing breakfast.
- Chatang Li: Famous for hot corn porridge and crispy fried sausage.
- Wu Yutai: Jasmine tea ice cream, sweet and refreshing on hot days.
- Bao Shifu: Trendy cakes with seaweed and meat floss.
- Old Beijing Yogurt: Served in clay jars, sweet and tangy.
- Zhajiangmian shops: Taste Beijing noodles with soybean paste.
- Hotpot restaurants: Warm lamb slices in copper pots with sesame sauce.
These dishes represent the heart of Chinese food culture. From traditional snacks to modern desserts, Gulou Street is paradise for foodies.
Travel Tips
- Getting there: Take Subway Line 8 to Shichahai Station, exit A1.
- Tickets: Around 20–30 RMB for combined entry.
- Best time: Visit in the morning for tower views, evening for food and nightlife.
- Budget: Food costs 30–50 RMB per person.
Conclusion
Beijing Drum Tower and Gulou Street are living history. Climb the towers, listen to the echoing drums, and taste Chinese food along the lively streets. Here you find the soul of Beijing: tradition, stories, and flavors blending with modern life.
