When is the best time to visit Dechang Bell and Drum Tower?
The best time to visit Dechang Bell and Drum Tower: Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture has a subtropical monsoon climate. The four seasons are not distinct in most areas, but because Liangshan Prefecture is located in the transition zone from the Sichuan Basin to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the terrain within the jurisdiction is complex and diverse. Therefore, its climate differences are reflected in the three-dimensional differences in the landforms. "One mountain has four seasons". The phenomenon is very common. The dry warm season is obvious, with warm winters and cool summers. The sunshine in the dry season is long, and the annual average temperature is 14°C to 17°C. The best time to travel is from November each year to March of the following year. At this time, the climate is warm and rainy, and there is no obvious disastrous weather, making it suitable for travel. In the summer half of the year, from April to October every year, there is more rain, which is often the season when mudslides and flash floods occur. However, the most unique local Yi Torch Festival (every year in May) falls in this season, so many people go here because of its reputation. Visitors should pay more attention to local weather conditions.
The Dechang Bell and Drum Tower is located at the junction of Shangxiang Street and Xiaxiang Street in Dechang County. It is a well-preserved ancient building in Liangshan Prefecture. Dechang Bell and Drum Tower was built in the 18th year of Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1838 AD). At that time, Kuixing Pavilion was built in the south, north and middle of the main street. The existing Bell and Drum Tower is in the middle. Because it was named Zhongge, it was called Zhonglou in the past, but the current name was later corrected. It was destroyed by fire in the 2nd year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1863 AD). It was rebuilt in the 13th year of Guangxu (1887) and destroyed again in the 31st year of Guangxu. The existing bell tower was rebuilt from the second year of Xuantong to the first year of the Republic of China (1910 to 1912 AD).
It covers an area of 142 square meters and is 24 meters high. The bottom of the building is made of green bricks. The north-south arch runs through the main street, with a door height of 7 meters and a width of 4.2 meters. There is a forehead on the door, which is said to be Nantong Mengzhi in the north and north to Jingji in the south. Above the arch, a building with 3 floors and 6 sides was built. The denomination on the first floor is full of wind and clouds, and the north denomination on the second floor is shining with stars.
The song style is on the south forehead of the third floor, and this forehead chants the moon. The corners of the eaves on each floor are inverted, and there are fengduo hanging there. The whole building is magnificent. Dechang County has always been a place where swallows are densely populated. Foreigners who come here are amazed by it, so it is known as the Swallow City of Panxi. The Bell and Drum Tower is also where the whole city's swallows gather. Swallows' nests are densely covered under the eaves of each floor, and the swallows make sweet and melodious calls. According to legend, the saying "I won't eat your oil or your salt, but I'll live in your house for three years" was said by the swallows.