2010 Sep 29 Bell Tower to Close for Renovations
According to reports in today’s China Daily and Global Times, the Bell Tower has suffered from extensive water damage will be closed and renovated following the National Day holiday.
The renovation is set to begin on October 8 and the Bell Tower will be closed during the repairs. It is unclear whether the Bell Tower will be closed earlier, as both newspaper reports state only that the Drum Tower and square will be open throughout the holiday. The renovations are expected to be completed by mid-November.
The Global Times mentions that “The China Academy of Building Research conducted a year-long inspection of the towers' structural safety before a plan for repairs was made.”
Authorities have stated the repairs are not connected to the “Time Cultural City” project proposed late last year, that would have seen demolition of the area around the Drum and Bell Towers to make way for a museum and shopping complex. Reports earlier this month indicated the Time Cultural City project is now on hold.
Although it’s good to see Beijing historic structures being maintained, the China Daily article disingenuously describes the Bell Tower as a “700-year-old structure, built in 1272.” While there was a Bell Tower build in Beijing in 1272, such a structure did not exist in the present location until 1420. Even that tower was destroyed in a fire and reconstructed as it now stands in 1747. It has also undergone extensive repair and other renovations since that time, meaning that the tower we see today is well and truly shy of the 700 year mark.
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