Home » Tourist Attractions » Beijing Attractions Map » Beijing Great Bell Temple

Beijing Great Bell Temple Maps

The Great Bell Temple is located on the western outskirts of Beijing. The temple houses China's largest bell made in 1406 under the reign of emperor Yongle in the Ming dynasty. The bell is 7 meters (23ft) high, 3 meters (10ft) in diameter and 46.5 tons in weight. 17 Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on the entire surface of the Bell both inside and outside, totaling 227,000 Chinese characters.

It is said that the Great Bell was transported here by ice sled. Wells were dug in every 500 meters (1,640.42 feet) and also ditch along the entire way. Water was brought onto the ditch from the wells, which was able to turn into ice soon in winter. Therefore the bell was pushed along the icy ditch to the temple. Finally the Bell Tower was started to construct and the bell was hung from the top. When spring came the following year, the ice was dissolved and the mounds of the earth was began to removed.

When the bell is struck, its toll can be heard several kilometers away. 31 other bronze bells from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties are on display in the courtyard. Here, in the Great Bell Temple (Dazhong Si), you could take a very close look at the grandness of this very significant great bell.