Drum Tower
Drum Tower
3.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Drum Tower and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
992 within 5 kms
Attractions
232 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
3.5
89 reviews
Excellent
16
Very good
26
Average
44
Poor
3
Terrible
0
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
ぴろーしき
Seto, Japan9,476 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
It takes about 10 minutes to get to the subway station of the same name. On the way, it became a shopping street, but it was quiet probably because it was early. It is said to be a drum tower, but inside it is a large bell tower. There is also an exhibition space on the upper floor, but tickets were required for that.
Automatically translated
Written 11 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada8,617 contributions
July 2021 • Couples
The area is a little run down and not that busy. The drum tower is neat to see and it is close to the ancient street but otherwise not much else. We found it worked out for a walking tour of Tianjin we did on our own.
There are lots of street style food vendors and restaurants nearby but many of the shops were closed when we went in July 2021. Closest metro is Gulou station.
There are lots of street style food vendors and restaurants nearby but many of the shops were closed when we went in July 2021. Closest metro is Gulou station.
Written 16 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller_Oldie
Charleston, SC279 contributions
June 2020 • Family
One more place to see, but actually worth visiting the whole area. Some very interesting facts and history included, but not really anything so special.
Written 7 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edwardhummingbird
Albuquerque, NM19 contributions
June 2017 • Family
There are some really nice galleries and antique shops here. I've purchased a variety of decor at these shops, and have never been disappointed. It does need to be better maintained. It's a short walk to nearby Old Culture Street.
Written 4 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vipiswiss
19 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
The area around the drum tower has all been rebuilt according to ancient Chinese style, the tower can be entered for free, giving that you have taken your ID. Inside you Il see an exhibit about what the area looked like about a 100 years ago, with original pictures, but the text is in chinese only. After having spent some time trying to decrypt the legends of those pictures, head for the last floor, from which you I Il have a nice view all around what used to be the center of Tianjin. This place and especially the pictures were a nice surprise, giving us an insight into what Tianjin looked like, and how things have changed!
Written 5 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rey G
Orlando, FL69 contributions
June 2016 • Family
the drum tower can be seen from afar. its impotent structure commands respect. it can be visited in 1 hour or less. you will find local food and bars next to it for a taste of the local cuisine. nothing fancy but clean and cheap.
Written 19 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrePisco27
Lisbon, Portugal183 contributions
Nov 2013 • Family
Like all drum tower. I didn't went out. Just look outside. The best part is that street. Very beautiful with a lot of tipical hutongs.
Written 3 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L T C
Singapore, Singapore66 contributions
Sept 2013
Went there recently. Very interesting with many old trade art and craft. Plenty to see for all ages. Only regret not enough food outlets. Don't missed the Clay Man Zhang shop. Pretty clay figurines that require good mastership.
Written 2 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tetelu
Cluj-Napoca, Romania356 contributions
July 2012 • Friends
The drum tower is the center of the old town. I heard that it is not the original building, because it was rebuilt; it takes back some of the authenticity, but you can pretend you didn't know.
There is no English written anywhere so I don't know why they did not allow me to enter until 13:30; but it gave me some time to visit the few shops around the tower.
Once you enter the tower you do not need to know what you have to do, or to see, because there is a yellow line on the floor that carries you from the entrance to the last floor. I felt like a dumb kid..
Basically in the drum tower you will fine a big bell up there. I guess you are allowed to strike the bell with that big wooden "bell striker", because it seems very used, but again there is nothing in English so I can only guess. Why hit the bell? To bring you luck, of course!
But the main attraction, for me at least, is the view you have once you get out there; so my advice is to ignore everything else at the lower level (just propaganda) and go take some pictures upstairs
There is no English written anywhere so I don't know why they did not allow me to enter until 13:30; but it gave me some time to visit the few shops around the tower.
Once you enter the tower you do not need to know what you have to do, or to see, because there is a yellow line on the floor that carries you from the entrance to the last floor. I felt like a dumb kid..
Basically in the drum tower you will fine a big bell up there. I guess you are allowed to strike the bell with that big wooden "bell striker", because it seems very used, but again there is nothing in English so I can only guess. Why hit the bell? To bring you luck, of course!
But the main attraction, for me at least, is the view you have once you get out there; so my advice is to ignore everything else at the lower level (just propaganda) and go take some pictures upstairs
Written 7 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
normakk
Brisbane, Australia299 contributions
Oct 2019
I lived in Tianjin for from 2015 to 2016 & during that time, never found the tower open but on a visit in October, 2019 was delighted to find it open to explore. It looked recently restored or upgraded as the exhibits were amazing.
None of the staff spoke English but I was shown a sign "Free with ID/passport". There is very little English text inside but the 4 floors of photos and items dating from 1800s are incredible. The photos show the original city wall, ancient streets and layout, "foreign dignitaries" from the concession times, prisoners, general life, military and a detailed insight to the history of Tianjin. I wish I had had a Chinese friend with me to translate all the text accompanying the photos and displays.
From the 3rd level, you can walk outside the tower to view the 4 sides of the historical area with skyscrapers in the distance.
None of the staff spoke English but I was shown a sign "Free with ID/passport". There is very little English text inside but the 4 floors of photos and items dating from 1800s are incredible. The photos show the original city wall, ancient streets and layout, "foreign dignitaries" from the concession times, prisoners, general life, military and a detailed insight to the history of Tianjin. I wish I had had a Chinese friend with me to translate all the text accompanying the photos and displays.
From the 3rd level, you can walk outside the tower to view the 4 sides of the historical area with skyscrapers in the distance.
Written 18 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing