Bell and Drum Towers (Hutong)

The Bell and Drum Towers crown the charming Nanluoguxiang district. Amid the maze of alleys, you'll appreciate having these two historical pillars to guide your exploration of the neighborhood. You'll immediately notice the 150-foot Drum Tower from its vibrant red walls, turquoise roof, and decorative symbols. The Bell Tower is the more subdued grey sister, standing nearby. These ancient landmarks offer exceptional views of Beijing, but you’ll have to take a hike to reach their peaks. One TripAdvisor user says, "The stairs at both buildings are very steep, but if you have reasonable fitness levels, you will find it easy enough. The reward is the views at the top."

If you wish to climb the stairs, you'll have to fork over 15 CNY (about $2.50 USD) for the Bell Tower and 20 CNY (about $3.25 USD) for the Drum Tower. The towers open daily around 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. every day. The closest subway stop is Guloudajie on Lines 2 and 8.