The Evolution of Bell and Drum Towers in Palaces from Sui and Tang Dynasties (589-907 AD) to Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 AD)

摘要

In the cities of ancient China, the bell tower and drum tower are important architecture of announcing and correcting time. It was recorded in the literature that in the Han Dynasty, a system of morning drum and evening bell had been set, and in the Tang dynasty, palace and many gates of residential blocks all set bell tower and drum tower to announce time, in Yuan Dynasty, the bell tower and Drum Tower were established on the axes of the Great Capital, more such kind of buildings were built in the cities and later became outstanding signs of these cities. Why did Chinese people choose bell tower and drum tower to announce and correct time, when did them originate and how had them developed, focused on these question, this thesis will discuss the cause of formation and development of the Bell Tower and Drum Tower in the ancient Chinese city.