This impressive red drum tower, located in the middle of a busy roundabout in central Linfen, is the second tallest drum tower in China. (At 43.75 meters tall, it is just a bit shorter than the one in Beijing.) Also known as Dazhonglou, this magnificent square tower was built in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). The structure has been damaged by several major earthquakes and has been rebuilt a number of times. The foundation is original, but the main wooden structure was completely rebuilt (to the earlier design) in 1984 after having been damaged in 1948 during the Chinese Revolution. This drum tower is supported by 12 massive wooden pillars, each one meter in diameter. The building contains no nails and is held together by a series of interlocking wooden pieces. The tower is several floors tall, and visitors are permitted to climb to the top, where they can enjoy a nice view out over the city, including of the eight-sized pagoda at Dayun Temple nearby. The drum on display on the lower floor is not the original one, but the bell on display in some 800 years old.Location: The Linfen Drum Tower (Dazhonglou) is located on Gulou Xi Dajie in central Linfen.See more..
Super, beautiful, tranquil temple. Lovely construction and details on the inside walls of each section. We went toward evening time as it was closing and the monks were emerging to walk around the courtyard (3 times clockwise I believe is the tradition). Some unique gems as well. As the ladies were closing up the library at the very back of the temple, they invited us in to show us a phenomenal art work; they explained to my Chinese colleague that a famous book (I believe it was found under the base of the unique central tower, but I may have misunderstood) has been transcribed onto a huge fabric or paper in the shape of a Chinese temple - you have to see it to believe it. It took a 40 y/o monk 3 years and the whole thing is written in his own blood! I found the whole place captivating.See more..
5.0Stork Tower (Guanque tower)(1 review) - One of the Four Great Towers of China Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers The Stork Tower or Guanque Tower is an ancient Chinese tower located southwest outside the Puzhou ancient city and near to the Pujin Ferry. It is one of the Four Great Towers of China. It is easy to get to, has a nice surrounding park and a great view of the ruins of Puzhou ancient city and the Yellow River. The tower is rebuilt, has elevator access, and has nice historical reproductions on various floors of Chinese life in the Tang Dynasty. Well worth the visit.See more..
