Ｋｅｅｐｉｎｇ　Ｂｅｉｊｉｎｇ　Ｔｉｍｅ

ＴＡＮＧ　ＹＵＡＮＫＡＩ

The Drum and Bell Towers in Beijing were the time-keeping center of the city in the threedynasties of Yuan (1279-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911). They are located onthe northern end of the north-south axis, which divides the city into two symmetrical parts ac-cording to the original city layout. Walking to the north from the back gate of the Forbidden City,tourists first see Jingshan Park and then the Drum and Bell Towers, with the Bell Tower on thenorth. The Drum and Bell Towers stand 100 meters apart and are respectively 46.7 meters and49 meters in height.