Drum Tower
TicketLens lets you:
Search multiple websites at onceand find the best offers.
Find tickets, last minuteon many sites, with one search.
Book at the lowest price!Save time & money by comparing rates.
At the northern crown of Beijing's historic axis, Drum Tower, also known as Gulou (鼓楼), rises over Zhonglouwan Hutong as one of the city's classic timekeeping landmarks. The upper level delivers old-city rooflines, hutong texture, and a clearer sense of how imperial-era rhythm once structured daily life.
Start with the combined Drum-and-Bell ticket if this is your first stop, because it gives you the full timekeeping story in one compact visit and better value than two separate entries.
Start with the combined Drum-and-Bell ticket if this is your first stop, because it gives you the full timekeeping story in one compact visit and better value than two separate entries.
There are currently no available offers.
Some experiences and attractions are seasonal and might close temporarily.
Some experiences and attractions are seasonal and might close temporarily.
6 tips for visiting the Drum Tower
1
Use shoulder-hour entry windows
If your priority is cleaner photos and less stair traffic, enter close to opening or in the final 90 minutes before last admission. Midday flow around Zhonglouwan Hutong tends to compress the upper platform, especially on weekends. This timing keeps your pace calmer, so you can focus on the atmosphere instead of crowd gaps.
2
Choose the combo ticket first
If you want the full story, pick the Drum + Bell combo instead of a single-tower entry. The combined format usually saves money and removes the decision stress of whether to add the second tower later in the day. That way your route feels complete from the start.
3
Watch holiday-time shifts
During major holiday windows in Beijing, ticketing and closing can shift later by about 30 minutes. If you visit in festival periods, verify the same-day notice before you set dinner plans or onward transfers. This avoids last-minute timing friction and keeps your evening flexible.
4
Wear stable shoes for the tower loop
The main Drum Tower loop includes a steep stair sequence, with about 73 steps up and 69 down. If you are traveling with children or older relatives, do the lower-level exhibits first, then climb once everyone is settled. This split pacing lowers fatigue and keeps the visit enjoyable.
5
Build a central-axis half-day loop
A strong sequence is Forbidden City -> Jingshan Park -> Drum Tower -> Beihai Park. You move from palace scale to viewpoint and then into hutong and lakeside rhythm without long transfers. That structure keeps decision fatigue low, so you can enjoy each stop instead of rushing.
6
Time your visit around performances
The site is known for regular drum performances, but exact slots can vary by day and season. Check the posted board when you arrive and aim for one slot early in your visit, then explore the upper level right after. You get the strongest atmosphere first, and the rest of the visit feels more coherent.
How to plan a smooth Drum Tower stop on Beijing's central axis
Drum Tower rewards sequencing more than long dwell time. If you pick ticket format, entry window, and nearby pairing before arrival, the whole stop feels easier and more enjoyable.
Start with the ticket format that matches your day
If you have at least 2 hours in this district, the combined Drum + Bell format is usually the strongest first choice. If your schedule is compressed, use single-tower entry and keep the second tower for another pass through Shichahai. Locking this decision early removes route hesitation and saves time. Book now.
Use seasonal cutoffs to avoid rushed entry
The practical trap here is arriving late and missing the upper-level rhythm. In peak season, last admission is typically 5:20 pm; in off-season, 4:20 pm, with holiday windows sometimes extending later. Build a 20 to 30 minute arrival buffer so you are not negotiating lines at the final minute.
Sequence nearby anchors for a coherent half day
A reliable route is Forbidden City first, then Jingshan Park, then Drum Tower, and finally Beihai Park. This line follows the old imperial spine and then softens into lakeside space, so your day feels progressive rather than fragmented. If you prefer temple context on day two, add Confucius Temple or Yonghegong Lama Temple.
Adjust pacing by travel style
First-time visitors usually get more value from both towers and one nearby park, while repeat visitors can focus on upper-level views and hutong detail. Families often do better with a lower-floor first pass before the stair climb. If someone in your group moves slowly on stairs, keep the ground-level option as a full success path.
Why Drum Tower still defines old Beijing rhythm
This landmark matters because it is not a standalone tower story. It connects dynastic rebuilding, citywide timekeeping, and the modern cultural identity of Beijing's central axis in one compact site.
From Yuan foundation to Qing rebuilding
The tower's timeline is unusually clear: first built in 1272, rebuilt in 1420 with the paired bell tower, and rebuilt again in 1747 after fire. Those phases explain why the site feels layered rather than frozen. You are reading several capitals of Beijing history in one vertical stop.
How the timekeeping system shaped city life
In practical terms, this was infrastructure for daily rhythm, not only ceremony. Drum signals and bell signals structured movement, curfew logic, and night watches across old Beijing. Understanding that function makes the paired-tower visit feel like a city-system story, not just architecture.
What to notice inside the Drum Tower
Look for three high-value details: the recreated drum array, the hall scale, and the upper-level sightline over hutong roofs. The structure rises about 46.7 m (153 ft), so even a short climb changes your read of the district. If you need a simple focus cue, count the layered drum positions before you move to the viewpoint.
Why this stop matters after UNESCO inscription
The 2024 inscription of Beijing Central Axis clarified this pair as part of a globally recognized urban ensemble, not an isolated monument. In route terms, that means the strongest experience comes from linking the towers with nearby axis anchors like Jingshan Park and Forbidden City. Book now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Drum Tower and Bell Tower?
They worked as a pair in old Beijing's timekeeping system: drums marked key night watches, and the bell signaled broader city rhythm. Visiting both gives you the full historical context instead of a half picture.
Read more.How much time should I plan for a first visit?
For Drum Tower only, most visitors are comfortable with 60 to 90 minutes. If you add the paired bell-tower stop and a short hutong walk, plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Read more.What are the current opening hours?
The current posted baseline is 9:30 am to 5:30 pm in peak season (April 26 to October 25) and 9:30 am to 4:30 pm in off-season (October 26 to April 25). Last admissions are typically 10 minutes before the top-of-hour close window. Holiday periods can run about 30 minutes later.
Read more.Which ticket is best for first-time visitors?
For most first visits, the combined Drum + Bell ticket gives the best value and a clearer historical narrative. Single-tower entry works better only if your day is very tight.
Read more.Are there drum performances during the visit?
Yes, the site is known for regular drum performances. Exact slots can vary by day and season, so check the posted daily board when you arrive and build your climb around one performance window.
Read more.Is Drum Tower suitable for reduced-mobility visitors?
The upper-level loop is stair-heavy, so reduced-mobility travelers often prefer a ground-level-focused visit. A practical approach is to decide on-site after seeing the stair profile and your group's energy.
Read more.How do I reach Drum Tower by metro?
Use Line 8 to Shichahai Station and exit at A2. From there, it is a short walk of about 300 m (984 ft) to the tower zone.
Read more.Which nearby sights pair best with Drum Tower?
The strongest same-day combinations are Jingshan Park, Beihai Park, and Forbidden City. If you want a second cultural block on another day, Confucius Temple or Yonghegong Lama Temple work well.
Read more.General information
opening hours
Peak season (April 26 to October 25): 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, with last admission at 5:20 pm. Off-season (October 26 to April 25): 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, with last admission at 4:20 pm. During major holiday windows in Beijing, ticketing and closing can run about 30 minutes later.
tickets
Currently listed prices (retrieved March 2026):
- Drum Tower: CNY 20 full, CNY 10 reduced
- Bell Tower: CNY 15 full, CNY 7 reduced
- Combined ticket: CNY 30 full, CNY 15 reduced
If you plan to visit both towers, the combined ticket is usually the best value and keeps your route decisions simple.
- Drum Tower: CNY 20 full, CNY 10 reduced
- Bell Tower: CNY 15 full, CNY 7 reduced
- Combined ticket: CNY 30 full, CNY 15 reduced
If you plan to visit both towers, the combined ticket is usually the best value and keeps your route decisions simple.
address
Drum Tower
No. 9 (temporary number), Zhonglouwan Hutong
Dongcheng District, Beijing
China
Service phones: +86 10 84027869 / +86 10 84036706
No. 9 (temporary number), Zhonglouwan Hutong
Dongcheng District, Beijing
China
Service phones: +86 10 84027869 / +86 10 84036706
how to get there
Nearest metro anchor is Shichahai Station (Line 8). From Exit A2, it is about 300 m (984 ft) east toward the tower area. For a smooth old-city walk, continue on foot through the nearby hutong lanes instead of relying on short taxi hops.
accessibility
The Drum Tower loop includes a steep stair sequence, with roughly 73 steps up and 69 steps down. If your group includes children, older visitors, or anyone pacing carefully, do the ground-level exhibits first and treat the tower climb as optional. This keeps the stop enjoyable without forcing a rushed ascent.
How useful was this page?
Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0.
Compare prices for more top sights in Beijing:
Ming Tombs18 tickets & guided tours
Jingshan Park5 tickets & guided tours
Language
English
Currency© 2020-2026 TicketLens GmbH. All rights reserved. Made with love in Vienna.