A Late Spring Visit to the Drum Tower

By ECLC Staff April 23, 2018

On a sunny Friday in late spring 2018, Danish and German students from the ECLC gathered in the district around one of Beijing’s many ancient landmarks: the Drum Tower. At 13:30, the bells of the Drum Tower heralded a relaxing afternoon for the students who are in the seventh week of studying Chinese language at Peking University.

Group shot in front of the drum tower

Leaning into a sedan chair, they enjoyed the lively street life in the many Hutongs surrounding the Drum Tower. After the tour they settled down in one of the many traditional courtyard houses and worked on their handwork skills. Sheltered from the sun, they put color on a plain Chinese opera mask and mastered the characteristic artistic arrangement known from colorful Chinese stage plays.

Mask painting

They also learned how to make Chinese knots to decorate their apartment in Beijing.

Chinese knot making

Chinese knot making

After these challenges, the students appreciated the periodical drumming performance at the Drum Tower and later on dived into Beijing’s colorful and rich night life.

Group shot inside a traditional courtyard