Yuhuang Pavilion & Drum Tower
玉皇阁
A Ming-era high-platform pavilion and Qing-era Drum Tower on the central axis of old Yinchuan. Surrounded by pedestrian streets and snacks, it is the starting point for old-town walks.
Yuhuang Pavilion stands at the intersection of Yuhuangge North Street and Jiefang East Street in Xingqing District and is the central landmark of old Yinchuan. It was first built in the Ming dynasty as a Daoist tower dedicated to the Jade Emperor. The present structure was rebuilt after an earthquake during the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty and stands about 22 meters tall. Its base is a brick platform, on which rise a two-story hip-and-gable tower with upturned eaves. From the platform, you can overlook the old town's streets and lanes. A small exhibition is housed inside the platform. About 300 meters to the west is the Drum Tower, built during the Daoguang reign of the Qing dynasty. It stands about 36 meters tall, with a three-story pavilion on a gate-like base with four sides. The two historic buildings face each other across Jiefang East Street, and between them lies Yinchuan's busiest pedestrian and commercial district. Nearby, you can walk to Nanguan Great Mosque (about 1 kilometer), Chengtian Temple Pagoda (about 1.5 kilometers), and Ningyuan Park. Suggested activity: start at Yuhuang Pavilion in the evening, walk along Jiefang East Street to the Drum Tower, then head to the nearby Huaiyuan Night Market or old-town snack shops for spicy paste soup, hand-grabbed mutton, lamb offal, and Eight-Treasure Tea. Both towers are lit up at night. Admission to climb the Yuhuang Pavilion platform is about 10 yuan. The Drum Tower is generally not open for climbing, but it can be viewed from the outside for free. A visit takes about 45 minutes. Getting there: in the city center, take the bus to the Yuhuang Pavilion stop. Note that the pedestrian street is crowded, so watch your belongings, and the steps of Yuhuang Pavilion are steep.
Opening hours
Jade Emperor Pavilion 09:00–18:00; exterior viewable all day
Nearby sights
- Chengtian Temple Pagoda (West Pagoda)
- Nanguan Great Mosque
- Haibao Pagoda
- Ningxia Museum
- Yuehai National Wetland Park
- Mingcui Lake National Wetland Park
- Museum of Contemporary Art Yinchuan
- China Hui Culture Park