Roof collapse on the historic drum tower: panic among tourists!

Roof collapse on the historic drum tower: panic among tourists!

Fuyang, China - On May 19, a dramatic incident occurred in Fuyang when the eastern tiled roof of the Ming Zhongdu drum tower broke in. According to a report by Vietnam.vn, the event was officially confirmed at 6:30 p.m. on May 20 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Phu Duong district. Fortunately, there was no injuries in the incident. Videos that circulate on social media show how hundreds of bricks fell to the ground within seconds and generated a large cloud of dust that panic triggered the tourists.

The local authorities reacted immediately by putting an emergency plan into force to evacuate residents and to lock the area. A task force was used to determine the causes of the collapse. It is noteworthy that the drum tower, which was built in 1375 under the Ming dynasty, was recognized as a cultural monument in 1989.

history and meaning of the drum tower

The drum tower in Fuyang is one of the largest of its kind in China and historically played an important role in the display of the time of day and on ceremonial occasions. The upper part of the structure was destroyed in 1853 during the Qing dynasty, but was restored in 1995. The collapse of the roof mainly affected the upper construction; The basis that comes from the Ming dynasty is still intact. However, there had been damage to the roof tiles and the roof trusses since 2017, which endangered the safety of the building.

The incident was only one year after repairing the roof due to minor damage, which caused concerns regarding the quality of maintenance. Some witnesses expressed concern about the safety of children who often play near the tower.

The drum tower in Xi’an

In addition to the drum tower in Fuyang, another important drum tower, the drum tower, is to be found in Xi’an. According to Travel China Guide, this Tower is northwest of the Bell Tower and was built in 1380 under Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty. The drum tower is famous for its architecture, which combines styles of the tang and Qing dynasty. This structure, which is 34 meters high and 52.6 meters long, contains 24 drums that represent the 24 solar term, a traditional weather calendar to support agriculture.

Although the drum tower no longer serves as a timepiece today, it still attracts many visitors. In 1996 a new drum, the largest in China, was installed on the tower. Tourists can visit the second floor of the tower to enjoy the wonderful view and an exhibition on drum culture. There are also regular musical performances that offer an insight into the old Chinese culture.

The journey to this landmark is uncomplicated, either with the metro or various bus lines. The admission prices are 30 CNY per person, and the tower has different opening times on the seven days of the week. Visitors under 1.2 meters or up to 6 years receive free admission accompanied by an adult.

Overall, the incident in Fuyang shows how important careful maintenance work is, while at the same time the meaning and attractiveness of other drums, such as that in Xi’an, are not to be neglected.