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The Summer Palace is one of the historical destinations everyone should try to visit at least once. Located just outside the 3rd Ring Road, It's included on most Beijing tour ioutings and is also a popular park for Beijing residents looking for a place to escape concrete and steel. The Summer Palace has survived two separate attacks since it's creation in 1750, the most recent during the Boxer Rebellion. It was best known as the summer resort of Empress Dowager Cixi. While the architecture and surrounding scenery is always beautiful, catching the Summer Palace on a clear day is truly breath taking. Be sure to take the boat ride across the nearby Kunming Lake for some of the best views.

One of the less commonly visited historical sites in Beijing is the Drum Tower (or Gulou). Originally built in 1272 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the Drum Tower has undergone repair on several occasions during the Yuan and Ming (1368-1644) Dynasties, remaining largely unchanged through its current state. The drum tower was used to mark the time, with a total of 24 drums. As a tourist attraction, the tower still marks the time with drum performances by three drummers who perform every half hour. The tower ceased to have a practical function when the last emperor evacuated the city in the 1920's.

The video is of the every 30 minute performance in the Drum Tower.

The climb to the top where the drums are stored is not for the physically impaired - the steps are incredibly steep and treacherous. The view of the city, in a full 360 degrees is one of the best places to get a sense for the surrounding hutong.

Also in the tower is a water clock, which precisely marks time.

Across the way from the Drum Tower is the Bell Tower (or Zhonglou), which housed bells also used for audible announcements throughout the city.