The Iron Bell and Bell Tower of Ciyun Temple in Qingcheng, Gansu

The iron bell was cast in the first year of Taihe in the Jin Dynasty (1102), with a height of 2.5 meters, a diameter of 1.75 meters, and a weight of about 4000 kilograms. It has a double dragon button, lotus petal patterns on the shoulders, and inscriptions of different sizes on the abdomen. One of the inscriptions is in Chinese, with the eight characters 'Emperor Wansui, Chen Zuo Qianqiu', the names of the donors and the bell casters; the other inscription is cast on the upper part of the iron bell, with a total of 56 characters. After research by relevant experts, it is confirmed to be 'Xitan' text, recording the Buddhist Dharani. The bell tower was built in the 39th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1560), and was rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. The bell tower is located on two layers of base, the lower base is 15.5 meters long, 15.1 meters wide, and 3.25 meters high, square, with a side length of 6.25 meters and a height of 4.8 meters. It covers an area of 235 square meters. The pavilion is built on the second base, with a Geshan top, 5.5 meters high. It is a key cultural relic protection unit in Gansu Province.