The Giant Bell Temple (Dazhongsi) was built in 1733, the 11th year of the Yongzheng Reign of the Qing Dynasty. The name derives from the fact that the biggest and oldest bell in the world is now housed in this converted temple. This mammoth instrument is known (not surprisingly), as the "King of Bells".

Legend has it that the Emperor commissioned an old man to build this huge bell. The man tried on four separate occasions to complete the task, but the mould for the Great Bell cracked each time. After the fourth attempt failed, the Emperor threatened to kill the old man if his fifth attempt was not successful. The man's daughter, on hearing this was so scared that she jumped into the huge pot of bronze for casting the bell and died. The man, distraught though he was, managed to complete the bell and his life was saved. The noise that one hears today, when the bell chimes, is said to be the young girl's screams, which echoed throughout the temple as she jumped into the pot!

Join in the fun, climb up the balcony and attempt to toss a coin into the small hole at the top of the huge bell. The temple complex itself is now a museum and consists of a square temple, (a place to traditionally pray for rain), the Bell and Drum Tower, the Heavenly King Hall, the Scripture Tower, Giant Bell Tower and the East and the West Wing Towers. The shape of the Giant Bell tower is designed in line with the ancient Chinese concept of "a Round Heaven and a Square Earth". The museum holds thousands of bells, of all different shapes and sizes from throughout the country. Most are delightfully decorated with ancient Chinese or Tibetan text and depict animals and mythical tales. Tape recordings of the bell music are available for sale in the shop if you are still craving more when you leave!

Address: Western Road of the 3rd North Circular Road Tel: 62550819
Opening hours: 8:30--16:30 except Monday
How to get there: The Temple is a bit out of the way so, either take a taxi en route to the Summer Palace or bus No.302, 379 or 367.