Big Bell Temple, also called Dazhong Temple or Juesheng Temple, is a former Buddhist temple in Beijing’s Haidian District, now home to the Ancient Bell Museum. Its centrepiece is the Yongle Bell, a 46.5-tonne bronze bell covered with Buddhist inscriptions in Chinese and Sanskrit. The museum also displays hundreds of bells from China and other countries, from large temple bells to smaller chimes. Look for the Bell Tower, Drum Tower and Scripture Hall as you explore the grounds, and take time to examine the inscriptions up close.
The Yongle Bell
The bell that gives the temple its familiar name was cast during the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty. It is about 6.75 metres tall and weighs 46.5 tonnes. More than 200,000 Chinese and Sanskrit characters cover its inner and outer surfaces, forming Buddhist inscriptions and prayers.
The bell is displayed hanging inside the temple. Its great size is only part of the detail to notice: look closely at the dense writing across the bronze. Accounts of its sound describe a long, resonant tone that could carry for miles, though visitors cannot ring it themselves.
From Buddhist temple to bell museum
The site’s formal name is Juesheng Temple, while Big Bell Temple comes from its famous bell. Built in the Qing dynasty, the temple was used for Buddhist ceremonies and imperial prayers for rain. The Yongle Bell was brought here from another temple in the 18th century, and a tower was built to house it.
The complex became the Ancient Bell Museum in 1985. Its collection includes hundreds of bells and gongs from different periods and places, including Chinese, Western and Japanese examples. Displays trace the development of bells and include temple bells with known origins, as well as Ming and Qing works.
The temple complex
The Bell Tower, Drum Tower and Scripture Hall are among the buildings to look for around the grounds. The museum’s displays extend beyond the main bell, with smaller examples that show the range of bell forms and uses. Take a slower look at the inscriptions and varied shapes rather than treating the Yongle Bell as the only stop.
Perguntas frequentes
What is the Big Bell Temple in Beijing?
It is a former Buddhist temple, also known as Juesheng Temple, that now houses the Ancient Bell Museum.
What is the Yongle Bell made of and how large is it?
It is a bronze bell about 6.75 metres tall and weighing 46.5 tonnes.
Can visitors ring the Yongle Bell?
No. Visitors cannot strike the bell.
How do you get to Big Bell Temple by metro?
Dazhongsi metro station is about 600 metres away. Follow the North Third Ring Road west from the station.
