An Impressive Tripod Has Replaced the Ancient Anding Gate to Guard the City

Ningxia Hotel Beijing is located in an area rich in history.

A few hundred meters north of the hotel there used to stand a massive gate being part of the city’s fortification system.Together with other gates and extensive city walls, the gate separates inner Beijing from outer Beijing, and protects the imperial city as the first line of defense against invaders.

This is the Anding Gate, literally translated as ‘Gate of Restored Peace’. The gate truly merits its name.

History has it that when the imperial army won a war, it made a triumph return through this gate. The emperor would welcome his soldiers here, and he would declare: the peace has been restored.

Today, the gate has been gone. At the spot where it used to be stands a huge tripod offering subtle hint of its past glory.

What’s interesting is that tripod also indicates stability and peace in China.

The Soaring Bell Tower

Ningxia Hotel Beijing is quite near the Drum and Bell towers, one of Beijing’s major tourist attractions that first-time visitors rarely failed to visit.

Built almost 700 years, Drum and Bell towers lie at the heart of old Beijing’s time telling service to the public.

The twin towers stand up to 50 meters so the sound can travel as far as 20 kilometers. And with help of the two towers, old Beijingers attended their fields, conducted their business, and lived their daily lives.

Today, Drum and Bell towers don’t tell time anymore. Yet, they still attract the public’s curiosity.

Every day, at the Drum Tower, impressive drum performances were staged. So be sure to stay and enjoy.

Also, come to the Bell Tower to see the massive bell that is 5.5 meters in height and weighs almost 60 tons.

Confucius Temple

Ningxia Hotel Beijing gets you to pay homage to Confucius easy and fast.

A few hundred meters east of the hotel stands the Confucius Temple built to Confucius, the greatest educator in ancient China.

As you enter, you shall see the statue of Confucius standing on a white marble base. At his foot, piles of offerings from worshippers.

The temple houses dozens of huge stone tablets engraved with Confucius classics. Confucius is said to have taught to as many as 3,000 students, many of whom later became eminent generals, successful merchants, and renowned scholars.

At the main court where Confucius is worshiped, there are huge numbers of jade engravings bronze wares offered by emperors in ancient China.

Confucius enjoyed great reverence from Chinese emperors who wished to rule the empire with his doctrines. In ancient China, all government officials had to step off their horses while passing the gate of the temple. Even the emperor was not exempt.