Download
In Pictures | The Beijing Central Axis: The Bell and Drum Towers
CGTN

Translating...

Content is automatically generated by Microsoft Azure Translator Text API. CGTN is not responsible for any of the translations.

As the bid by "The Beijing Central Axis" to become a world heritage site enters the final stages, CGTN Digital photographer Qu Bo takes you on a walk through the central axis. 

Four-episode graphics are to be introduced to display four stops along the axis, including Yongding Gate and Zhengyang Gate, the Forbidden City, the Bell and Drum Towers, and the Beijing Olympic Park. The third stop is the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower.

Bells and drums were used by the ancient Chinese to tell the time. The Bell and Drum Towers in Beijing, built in 1272 and rebuilt twice after fires, tolled the hours during ancient China's Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties (1271-1911). 

Situated at the northern end of the central axis of the Inner City, the Towers were listed as National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by China's State Council in 1996.

Editor: Wang Yulian

Photographer: Qu Bo

Designers: Qu Bo, Zhu Shangfan

Copy editor: Suvam Pal 

Chief editor: Chen Ran

MORE FROM CGTN
Buying the right teapot - you're spoilt for choice
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Travel

06:35, 06-Apr-2025

Summer Palace captures visitor's hearts with charming spring
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Travel

06:33, 06-Apr-2025

China reports robust travel figures on first day of Qingming holiday
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Travel

14:04, 05-Apr-2025

Ong Chun: A shared maritime memory preserved by China and Malaysia
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Culture

07:27, 05-Apr-2025

TOP NEWS
Full text: China states its position on opposing U.S. abuse of tariffs
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

China

13:31, 06-Apr-2025

Japan's PM to discuss tariffs with Trump after failed exemption lobby
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

World

09:34, 06-Apr-2025

Yangon-Mandalay railway, Mandalay airport resume operations
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Politics

09:32, 06-Apr-2025

Search Trends