The Bell Tower has been a symbol of Xi an ever since the cities establishment. It houses a huge bell, which was traditionally ringed every morning to offer the correct time to the city. It was first built as part of Yingxiang Temple in 1384, which marked the traditional center of the city. In 1582 it was rebuilt due to the city s expansion program and now lies in modern downtown Xi an.
The square base of the tower is 1,374sq/m in size, 8.6 meters high and 35.5 meters wide, built with green bricks. The main Bell Tower, 36 meters above the ground, is a brick-and-wood structure. Three layers of eaves can be seen from the exterior of the building, but there are only two layers visible inside. The eaves are supported by a colored arc, one of the specialties in ancient Chinese timber constructions, and a feature unique to this period in China. This architectural technique originated in the Shang Dynasty (1,600 BC-1,100 BC), and lends the building both stability and beauty.
The Bell Tower was built by order of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuangzhang was born into a poor family. His parents died when he was young, and he survived early life as a shepherd for rich landowners. Later he joined in the Peasants Revolt against the decadent rule of Yuan Dynasty, and became the leader of the revolution. As leader after the successful revolt he founded a new dynasty--- the Ming Dynasty.
In ancient China, the emperor was often regarded as a dragon , so when Zhu Yuanzhang ascended to the throne, he was constantly afraid of being replaced by a real dragon. Consequently he ordered bell towers to be constructed all over the country to suppress the spirit of dragons . Xi an at the time was imperial capital, hence greatest at risk of the spirit of dragons , so it s Bell Tower was built not only earlier but also taller than any others.
The square base of the tower is 1,374sq/m in size, 8.6 meters high and 35.5 meters wide, built with green bricks. The main Bell Tower, 36 meters above the ground, is a brick-and-wood structure. Three layers of eaves can be seen from the exterior of the building, but there are only two layers visible inside. The eaves are supported by a colored arc, one of the specialties in ancient Chinese timber constructions, and a feature unique to this period in China. This architectural technique originated in the Shang Dynasty (1,600 BC-1,100 BC), and lends the building both stability and beauty.
The Bell Tower was built by order of Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuangzhang was born into a poor family. His parents died when he was young, and he survived early life as a shepherd for rich landowners. Later he joined in the Peasants Revolt against the decadent rule of Yuan Dynasty, and became the leader of the revolution. As leader after the successful revolt he founded a new dynasty--- the Ming Dynasty.
In ancient China, the emperor was often regarded as a dragon , so when Zhu Yuanzhang ascended to the throne, he was constantly afraid of being replaced by a real dragon. Consequently he ordered bell towers to be constructed all over the country to suppress the spirit of dragons . Xi an at the time was imperial capital, hence greatest at risk of the spirit of dragons , so it s Bell Tower was built not only earlier but also taller than any others.