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Photo: Giant Bell in Big Bell Temple
The main attraction
here at the Big Bell Temple (also known as the
Great Bell Temple or Dazhong Si) has to
be the giant bell located here which was cast in
the Yongle reign period of the Ming Dynasty.
What is so special with this giant bell, also
known as the Kings of the Bells in China,
is that it has a history of more than five
hundred years and it measures close to seven
meters high and weighs not less than forty-six
tons. Buddhist sutras containing more than
227,000 Chinese characters are inscribed on the
inner and outer sides of the bell and it is also
decorated with Sanskrit incantations. The Big
Bell Temple is also called the Ancient Bells
Museum of China since there are over one hundred
different types of bells of the Yuan, Ming and
Qing dynasties being housed here.
For those who are
more adventurous, visit the circular hall to
view an exhibition on bell casting. You can also
throw a coin through the opening in the top of
the bell for good luck. A collection of bells
from the Marquis Zeng of Yi are also being
displayed inside one of the halls found here.
Opening times:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Admission: 10 yuan.
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