Drum tower
The Drum tower at Shishuang Temple, in Liuyang, Hunan, China.
Traditional Chinese鼓樓
Simplified Chinese鼓楼
Literal meaningDrum tower

The drum tower is an important building in Han Chinese Buddhist temples. Together with a bell tower, they are usually placed on both sides of the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings. It is usually located on the right side while the bell tower is usually located on the left side. It is general a three-storey pavilion with a big drum placed on it. When it is beaten, it sounds grandly and loudly. Buddhist temples set times to beat the drums to inform the time and also wake people up.[1][2][3]

Drum tower in Laos

They are found in China and other countries of the region.

References

  1. ^ Zi Yan 2012, p. 34.
  2. ^ Wei Ran (2012-06-01). Buddhist Buildings. Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. ISBN 9787112142880.
  3. ^ Han Xin (2006-04-01). Well-Known Temples of China. Shanghai: The Eastern Publishing Co. Ltd. ISBN 7506024772.

Bibliography

Further reading

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