This attraction introduction is compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · Scenic Spots section). Ticket prices, opening hours, transportation, and contact information mentioned in the text may be outdated. Please refer to the latest official announcements from the scenic area before traveling; some content consists of historical background/cultural introductions and is for reference only.
The Flying Bell was originally an ancient bell of the Chongsheng Temple on Junshan. In the fifth year of Chunyou of the Southern Song Dynasty (1245 AD), when Meng Gong, the Jinghu pacification and defense commissioner, rebuilt Chongsheng Temple, he had a bell recast. The bell was over one zhang tall, several arm-spans around, and weighed more than 4,000 jin. On it were the words 'Made in the fifth year of Chunyou,' and on the body were cast sixteen large characters: 'Long live the Emperor, the nation prosperous and the people at peace, favorable weather and timely rain, and abundant harvests of all grains.' On the four protruding parts were four golden dragons cast in bronze, lifelike and true to form. The original bell was smashed in 1966; the present Flying Bell was reproduced in 1979 by the municipal valve factory, about 2 meters high, 1.2 meters in diameter, and weighing about 2 tons. On its body were recast the six characters of the battle slogan of the Zhong Xiang and Yang Yao uprising: 'Equalize the rich and poor, level the noble and base,' which carries even deeper meaning than the former inscription. This ancient bell has a beautiful legend. It is said that in the early years of the Southern Song, hundreds of thousands of peasants around Dongting Lake, under the leadership of Yang Yao, launched a mighty peasant uprising. One night, it is said, the court sent troops to launch a surprise attack on Yang Yao's stockade stationed at Junshan, when suddenly a giant bell flew down from the sky; its peals awakened the rebel army, who rose to resist the enemy. Hence it was called the Flying Bell. This expresses people's deep remembrance of Yang Yao's insurgent army and their praise in various ways. The legend of the ancient bell entrusts people with such feelings. On this basis some believe that the original Flying Bell was an alarm device cast by Yang Yao's insurgent army.
