The Drum Tower (鼓楼) stands on a low hill at the centre of Gulou district, giving its name to the surrounding neighbourhood. Built in 1382 by the Hongwu Emperor, it was used to mark time — drums were sounded to announce the hours of the night — and to signal alarm in emergencies. The current structure is a Qing-era reconstruction on the original Ming platform.
The tower and its surrounding park are a pleasant stop in the Gulou district, within easy walking distance of the university area, Librairie Avant-Garde, and the Gulou neighbourhood's cafes and restaurants. The street-level view of the tower rising over its platform, framed by the surrounding trees, is a classic Nanjing urban image. A small exhibit inside covers the tower's history and the traditional time-keeping system.