Sanjiang Drum Tower

 

Basic Information of the Sanjiang Drum Tower

Chinese Name: 三江鼓楼 Pronunciation: Sānjiāng Gǔlóu

Building Time: 2002

Suggested Visiting Hours: 1-2 Hours

Occupied Area: About 600 square meters

Address: Dong Autonomous County of Sanjiang, Liuzhou City, Guangxi

Best Visiting Time: Spring and Autumn (March to May, September to November)

Building Function: It is an important place for religious and aesthetic activities as well as an essential place of inheritance for Dong culture.

 

Ticket Price

• Admission Ticket Fare: 15 yuan
   

• Ticket Free of Charge Policy

1. Children under 1.2 meters are free for the admission ticket.
2. Seniors above 65 years with valid ID card are free for the admission ticket.

 

Opening Hours

Content	Opening Time
Sanjiang Drum Tower	08:00-22:00
Ticket Office	08:00-19:00

      

• Note: No entry after 20:00.

 

Introduction of the Sanjiang Drum Tower

Sanjiang Drum Tower locates in Moon Street, Dong Autonomous County of Sanjiang, Guangxi, overlooking the whole Sanjiang River. What is more, Sanjiang Drum Tower also locates in Sanjiang Great Dong Village Scenic Area, 4A tourist attraction in China. Drum towers are the symbol and soul of Dong minority village. Among these drum towers, Sanjiang Drum Tower is the best and considered as the best drum tower in the world.
 

Covering about 600 square meters, Sanjiang Drum Tower stands 42.6 meters high with 60 pillars to support. This drum tower has 27-layer tile-made eave with a distinctive pyramid-shaped configuration, which is dignified and firm. Contrasting sharply with the outside rugged shape, the inside carving decoration and color painting are all subtle and fantastic. Moreover, the four wooden pillars inside the building are more than 70cm in diameter, and more than 200 years in age, which are unparalleled in the architectural history of drum towers. The whole building is built with wood without using even an iron nail.

 

History of the Sanjiang Drum Tower

Dong people devote their values, ideals, pursuit and national spirit into the unique wooden building one after another. Therefore, here comes the splendid culture of drum tower, of which the Dong village, drum tower, wind and rain bridge, wooden houses on stilts are representatives, and the unique architectural skill is the soul. All of these are included in the harmonious system of Dong culture.
 

The drum tower is the public building in the center of the Dong village. It is the place for conference, ceremony and entertainment. In the past, people hung a drum on the girder, so the tower got its name Drum Tower.
 

In the end of the Qing dynasty(1636-1912), armed struggle against donation started in Sanjiang area and the people here past the information by beating the drum. Nowadays, being the place of leisure and entertainment is the main function of the drum tower. People can enjoy the cool in summer, and warm yourself around the fires in winter. On New Year’s Day or other festivals, people all get together outside the drum tower, singing, dancing, and talking with each other, enjoying various cultural activities.

 

Highlights to See at the Sanjiang Drum Tower

Tower Square

In front of each drum tower, there is a place, called tower square, paved with blue flagstones or cobbles. In most cases, a stage will be set up in the square.
 

The Drum

The drum hung on the girder is about three or four feet long. If you beat the drum, the sound can be heard from far far away. What is more, in Dong village, it is the reputable person in Dong people who can beat the drum, not anyone. Tourists usually take a picture with the drum on the Tower Square, leaving the memory with the drum.
 

Top of the Tower

Go onto the top of the tower, you can have a panoramic view of Sanjiang River. It is one of the best positions overlooking the wonderful scenery of Sanjiang River, which has attracted many tourists and photographers.
 

Golden Drum Tower

The drum tower is popular not just in the daytime. In the evening, when the golden yellow light show starts, the pyramid-like drum tower will shining like gold. Because of that, the traditional drum tower can still draw people to have a great experience at night.
 

Four Wooden Pillars

The four wooden pillars inside the drum tower are larger than 70 cm in diameter. The two oldest pillars are more than 200 years old, and the other two are more than 100 years old. Procured from a primeval forest, the four wooden pillars are large enough that it needs two persons to encircle each pillar.
 

Four Visitors’ Stands

Sanjiang Drum Tower learns the advantages of other buildings in design. In order to enhance the functions for art and traveling, four-layer visitor stands are designed, among which the highest one locates in the 25th floor.
 

The Stone Plinth

The stone plinth of the tower can not be ignored because of the superb carvings. According to these carvings, you can see the daily life of Dong people, such as cockfight, silkworm breeding and cotton weaving. These vivid carvings are full of local features and natural flavor, showing the long history and civilization as well as the masterful architectural skill of the Dong minority, which is amazing.
 

The Fulu Temple

Across from the Sanjiang Drum Tower, there stands the Fulu Temple. In Chinese, Fulu means good fortune and opportunities. Surrounded by mountains and green trees, this quiet and beautiful temple is definitely the must-visit attraction in Sanjiang. The Fulu Temple is a Buddhist temple with all essential Buddhist facilities. The main hall is majestic, attracting a steady stream of believers.

 

How to Get to the Sanjiang Drum Tower

By Bus

Take bus Sanjiang 3, and get off at Dongxiang Niaochao station. After getting off, you need to walk toward northeast about 100 meters along the Dongxiang Dadao(Dongxiang Ave.), turn left, walk about 150 metes along the Guangchang Beilu to the destination.
 

By Taxi

Chinese: 请带我去三江鼓楼。English: Please take me to the Sanjiang Drum Tower.

If you go to the Sanjiang Drum Tower from Sanjiang Railway Station by taxi, it takes about 20 minutes (about 25 yuan).

If you go to the Sanjiang Drum Tower from Sanjiang South Railway Station by taxi, it takes about 20 minutes (about 25 yuan).

If you go to the Sanjiang Drum Tower from Liuzhou Bailian Airport by taxi, it takes about 3 hours (about 600 yuan).