Ancient Chinese Landmark Suffers Structural Failure Amid Renovation Concerns
A frightening scene unfolded Monday at one of China’s most historic landmarks when the ceiling of the 650-year-old Fengyang Drum Tower in Anhui province partially collapsed, sending hundreds of roof tiles crashing to the ground and tourists scrambling for safety.
Miraculously, no injuries were reported, though eyewitnesses described a terrifying moment as the tiles rained down for over a minute, raising clouds of dust and echoing fears about the preservation of China’s ancient cultural heritage.
Historic Structure Turned Hazard Zone
The Fengyang Drum Tower, located roughly 200 miles south of Beijing, is one of the largest drum towers in the country and a key architectural feature in the hometown of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty. Traditionally used to mark time and announce ceremonies, the tower has stood since the 14th century — until now.
According to CNN, the collapse occurred just months after a 2024 renovation, raising immediate questions about the quality and oversight of the restoration work.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos
“The tile falling lasted for a minute or two,” a visitor told Yangcheng Evening News.
“The quiet was shattered as hundreds of roof tiles began slipping from the roof and crashing to the ground.”
Video clips and images posted to Chinese social media showed a wide area littered with shattered tiles, and authorities quickly cordoned off the site to investigate.
A local resident told The Beijing News:
“There was no one in the square and no one was injured… If it happened a little later, there would be many children playing [near the tower] after dinner.”
Officials Launch Investigation
Local cultural heritage authorities confirmed the incident but emphasized that no casualties had occurred. They have since launched a structural integrity review and are evaluating the recent renovation work that may have contributed to the failure.
Preservation vs. Modernization
The collapse of the Fengyang Drum Tower underscores the increasing tension between historical preservation and modern development across China. With thousands of ancient sites undergoing renovation to support booming tourism, experts have warned about rushed or poorly supervised restoration efforts that prioritize aesthetics over safety and structural soundness.
For now, the ancient tower remains closed to the public — and while no lives were lost this time, the incident serves as a powerful reminder that even centuries-old monuments can fall in an instant if not properly cared for.
The true cost of preserving history lies not only in resources, but in vigilance.
