The two tallest buildings on the Central Axis for 500 years, they kept the city's time and called the night watch. Climb both for views over the grey hutong roofs, an hourly drum performance and China's largest bell.
- Address
- Zhonglouwan Hutong / north end of Di'anmenwai Street, Dongcheng District
- Hours
- Apr 26-Oct 25 Mon-Sun 09:30-17:30; Oct 26-Apr 25 Mon-Sun 09:30-16:30 (visitbeijing.com.cn)
- Best time to go
- Morning, Afternoon · About 1.5 h
- Price
- Drum Tower CNY 20, Bell Tower CNY 10 (visitbeijing.com.cn)
- Price level
- ¥
Details can change. Check hours and prices before you go.
Good to know
- Lonely Planet says the towers look best peeking over the rooftops as you wander the Gulou hutongs, full of third-wave cafes and cocktail bars.
- The two towers have separate tickets: CNY 20 for the Drum Tower, CNY 10 for the Bell Tower.