A section of the historic Fengyang Drum Tower in China partially collapsed on May 19, sending roof tiles crashing down and prompting nearby tourists to scatter. No injuries were reported, according to officials from the Fengyang County Culture and Tourism Bureau.
The tower, a treasured symbol of Fengyang County in Anhui Province—roughly 600 miles south of Beijing—has a deep-rooted history dating back to 1375. It was originally constructed during the eighth year of the Hongwu Emperor’s reign, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Built as part of an ambitious urban planning initiative for the then-capital of Zhongdu, the Drum Tower once served as a central piece of the city’s architecture, playing a ceremonial and timekeeping role using large drums to mark the hours and signal important events.
The original tower was destroyed in 1853 during the Taiping Rebellion, one of the bloodiest civil wars in history, which ravaged much of China during the late Qing Dynasty. In an effort to preserve the town’s cultural identity, the tower was reconstructed in 1995, following the traditional architectural style of the Ming Dynasty, complete with its iconic tiled roof, wooden framework, and ornate carvings.
Despite the reconstruction, the building has remained a prominent symbol of local heritage, drawing thousands of tourists annually. However, the Fengyang County Culture and Tourism Bureau noted that the tower had been showing signs of deterioration in recent years, prompting ongoing maintenance efforts due to “worsening damage and safety hazards.”
Video footage of the recent collapse shows roof tiles cascading from the structure’s upper level, sending plumes of dust into the air and narrowly missing visitors standing nearby. The Bureau has launched an official investigation into the incident and is assessing the extent of the damage.
While the current structure is not the original, it remains a cherished reminder of Fengyang’s historical significance and the legacy of China’s imperial past. The incident has sparked concern about the preservation of reconstructed heritage sites and the challenges of maintaining traditional architecture in the face of modern environmental pressures.