Zhenyuan Tower [Zhangye]

Zhenyuan Tower,otherwise known as drum tower,stands at the intersection of the East--West and Nor--South avenues in the city center of Zhangye.It is the largest drum tower in the areas along the Hexi Gorridor.

Put up in 1507 ,the 2nd year under the reign of Zhengde of the Ming Dyansty it is made to sit on a brick--covered earthen terrace of 9 meters high and 32 meters wide with a height of over 30 meters from the bottom to the top of the tower.Shaped like a pagoda it has fluing eaves with upturned ledges at the croner.With carved and painted transoms and beams the 3-storeyed tower,featuring an exquisite woodwork,looks very maginficent and resplendent.Bulit through the platform at the bottom are the crossways leading to the four avenues running from east to west and from north to south.Hung on the four sides of the tower are the inscribed boards.the one on the wast reads"Sring Rain Shedding over the Golden City",that on the west "Twiligh Moon over above the Jade Pass"while the board on the south is inscribed with "A Fine Day Snowscape in Qilian Moutains "and that facing the north is "Ancient Pastureland at Juyan"

standing at the intersection of the East--West and Nor--South avenues in the city center of Zhangye