The Drum Tower was initially built in 1272 during the Yuan Dynasty, was rebuilt in 1297 during the Yuan Dynasty, and again in 1420 and 1539, during the Ming Dynasty. The two-story structure was made of wood with a height of 47 meters. On its second floor there originally were 25 drums. Among them, there were one big drum and 24 smaller drums. Now, only the big drum is left. The drum is beaten four times a day, for 15 minutes at a time.



The Drum Tower and companion Bell Tower were used together to announce hours. At the very beginning in the Ming Dynasty, the bell and drum were beaten together both during the day and nighttime. (When Qian Long was emperor in the Qing Dynasty, the bell and drum were beaten together only two times each night. Perhaps he was a light sleeper )



At seven o'clock in the evening, the drum was beaten followed by the bell to inform people it was time to go to sleep.

At nine o'clock, eleven o'clock, as well as one and three o'clock in the morning, only the bell was beaten to avoid disturbing sleepers.

At five o'clock in the morning, the drum was beaten followed by the bell to inform people to rise.