The
Giant Bell Temple or Dazhong 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 of Dazhong Temple:
Western Road of the 3rd North Circular Road
Tel: 62550819
Opening hours: 8:30--16:30 except Monday
How to get Dazhong Temple: 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. |
