Qingyuan Tower is located in the center of the ancient city of Xuanhua and is one of the outstanding cultural relics and historical sites in Zhangjiakou. Qingyuan Tower, also known as Bell Tower, was first built in 1482 AD during the 18th year of the Ming Dynasty's Chenghua reign. It is a tall building with multiple angles and a cross ridge gable roof. The building is built on an 8-meter-high cross shaped archway, connecting Changping to the south, Guangling to the north, Anding to the east, and Daxin to the west. Form an axis with Zhenshuo Tower and Gongji Tower in the city. The iron wheel ruts from 500 years ago are clearly visible inside the voucher cave. The building has three exterior floors and a solid interior floor, with a total height of 25 meters and a tower height of 17 meters. It has three bays, six tower rafters, and front and rear open rooms leading out of the building. There are corridors around it, supported by 24 thick columns. The top is made of green glazed tiles, while the waist and bottom are made of porcelain tiles. The beam frame arch of wooden architecture is exquisite and beautiful, flying up and down the corner, full of vitality. On the upper and lower floors, there are four banners hanging. To the south, it is called Qingyuan Tower, to the north, it is called Tongtian Yingsheng, to the east, it is called towering Yanjiang, and to the west, it is called Zhenjing Border Atmosphere. Inside the building hangs a Xuanfu Town City Bell cast in the 18th year of the Ming Dynasty's Jiajing reign, with a height of 5 meters, a diameter of 7 meters, and a weight of about 10000 pounds. It is supported by four heavenly pillars in the center of the upper level of the building. The sound of the bell is melodious and loud, and can travel for more than 40 miles, earning it a great reputation. The building has a unique design and a sophisticated and rigorous structure. It can be as beautiful as the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, which is rare in China and is known as the second Yellow Crane Tower.
Qingyuan Tower has gone through many vicissitudes and suffered serious damage during the Cultural Revolution. In 1986, the Ministry of Culture presided over a comprehensive restoration of Qingyuan Building. The restored Qingyuan Tower is made of green tiles and green bricks, with golden dragons and jade beasts standing high in the sky, flying and cocking horns and grand buildings. The colonnade arch of wooden architecture is hung red and green, the carved beams and painted rafters is magnificent, the ancient bell is hung high, and the wind chimes are jingling. It looks simple, elegant, grand and spectacular. The interweaving of two iron wheel tracks from 500 years ago inside the voucher cave is clearly visible, reminiscent of the scene of carts and horses rustling, the sound of whips ringing in the ears, and the lush city scenery. Xuanhua Qingyuan Tower is like an old man in history, with over 500 years of ups and downs from its birth to the present, all cherished in its memories. In 1988, Qingyuan Tower was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit.
Address: Zhonglou Street, Xuanhua District, Zhangjiakou City