2004/07/14
- Bell and Drum Towers
- Shichahai
- Houhai
Each ancient city in China has bell and drum towers that have been sounded time for their residents throughout history. Those in Beijing are well maintained and among the largest in the country’s “must see” sites. The buildings in which they are housed are eye-catching and afford panoramic views of the city. At ground level, they are surrounded by souvenir shops that form a mix of ancient and modern living. The Drum Tower is on Gulou Street, adjacent to the ancient Wanning Bridge with stone balustrades on both sides, under which grain shops used to pass enroute to the wharf at Shichahai for unloading. In earlier centuries this waterway was the busiest in the city.
Gulou Street is yet another good area in which to stop for food and drinks. Snacks are a specialty, but full-scale dishes are also available. Treats such as dalian huoshao (baked wheat cake), the lu zhu huo shao Shop, huntun (wonton) Hou are well worth the visit. Also try the Qiulixiang Shop for fried chestnuts with sugar and the kaorouji (barbeque) Restaurant.
The Bell Tower is close to Doufuchi Hutong, beyond whose small market you can reach a carved archway where a temple of a Goddess was long ago located. In the centre of the hutong is the compound of the premier Department of Beijing Public Security Bureau, and home of Prince Na during the Qing Dynasty.
Cross the bridge here, turn right at the crossroad of Di’anmen Street, and you will reach colourful Shichahai. By day, local residents play chess, rehearse Peking Opera and sell old books and other items. Nightfall sees the opening of the area’s numerous bars, coffee rooms and teahouses. You can also board a romantic sightseeing boat whose stern is always occupied by musicians playing traditional instruments. Prior to boarding, you can order food for your lake trip at the famous Muslim barbecue restaurant, Kaorou Ji.
Walking along the bank of Shichahai, you will reach Houhai, then Jishuitan. Jishuitan is a man-made lake designed by scientist Guo Shoujing, and which revolutionalized the whole system of water transportation in the capital. The former residences of many famous Chinese still exist around the Shichahai, Houhai and Jishuitan areas, which are rich in ancient artefacts and the source of many stories |
