What did Beijing Bell and Drum Tower do in ancient times?

Beijing Bell and Drum Tower was used to tell time in ancient times.

The origin of the city bell and drum tower can be traced back to the buildings such as the bridge gate, the bridge building and the Gujiao building in the Qin and Han Dynasties. There is a saying in the Song Dynasty's "Architectural Style" that "drums and clocks are short, and the market is customized". Since the Jin and Yuan Dynasties, Miyagi Bell and Drum Tower is also called Wuwenlou, which is located in Zuo Dong, and Wulou Bell Tower is located in the west. Ming and Qing dynasties developed into a straight line from north to south.

Because it mainly plays the role of alarm and time telling, the Bell and Drum Tower is mostly located in the city center, facing south, and then gradually evolved into a special time telling building in ancient palaces and cities in China, supplemented by more accurate timers, which became an important symbol of another ruling class power "the power to manage time" in feudal society besides astronomical calendars.

China's famous Gu Lou.

1, Tianyi Pavilion in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province: Tianyi Pavilion is located in the center of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. It was built in the middle of Ming Dynasty, and the specific time was from forty years of Jiajing in Ming Dynasty (156 1) to forty-five years (1566). Fan Qin, the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War at that time, built a private library with a history of more than 400 years.

2.Xi 'an Bell Tower was built in the 17th year of Hongwu in Ming Dynasty (AD 1384). In the past, a big clock was hung upstairs to show the alarm, hence the name "Bell Tower". Xi 'an Drum Tower was built in the 13th year of Hongwu in Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1380), earlier than the construction of the bell tower. There is a huge drum upstairs, which is called "Drum Tower" because it is played every day.

3. Tianxin Pavilion was built in the late Ming Dynasty and rebuilt during the reign of Qing Qianlong. Tianxin Pavilion was originally named Tianxin Pavilion, and its name came from the popular "Star Domain" theory in Ming Dynasty. According to the division of stars, "Tianxin Pavilion" was named after the "Changsha Star" in the sky, so it was once a place where the ancients watched the stars, and people were willing to pray here to eliminate disasters. Tianxin Pavilion, because of its high terrain, has become the only place for military strategists to attack and defend.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Beijing Drum Tower and Bell Tower