Abstract
The Bell and Drum Tower system is the most representative of the symmetrical temple pavilions of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This system existed in palaces and cities before appearing in Buddhist temples. Currently, research on the formative background of the Bell and Drum Towers is hard to find. This study aims to examine the formative background of this layout system. The results are as follows:
Firstly, the abolition of the Bell and Drum Tower system within palaces allowed for the Towers to be built freely in cities and temples. This system eventually became the most widely used layout scheme for cities and temples in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Secondly, the evolution of the symmetrical layout in Buddhist temples eventually became finalized as the Bell and Drum Towers. In the process, the Bell Tower changed pairs multiple times, in chronological order: the Sutra Tower, the Revolving Sutra Tower, other Pavilions, and finally, the Drum Tower.
