The Great Bell Temple is located on the western outskirts of Beijing. Built in 1733, it holds the largest bell in China, which is known as China's "King of Bells". The Great Bell is hanging in the bell tower at the rear of the compound. Music experts of the Chinese Acoustics Institute have found its tone pure, deep and melodious with a sprightly rhythm. In addition, the temple also has a small ancient bell museum and some Chinese ancient bells displayed.

This Qing temple now houses the Ancient Bell Museum, best visited on the way to the Summer Palace or in conjunction with Wanshou Temple, which lies to the southwest along the Third Ring Road. The temple was known as Juesheng Si (Awakened Life Temple), but clearly there wasn't enough awakening going on, so the 47-ton Yongle Bell was transported here on ice sleds in 1743.

The third Ming Emperor Yongle took power in 1403 after a coup known in Chinese history as the Jingnan (Pacification) Coup. Legend has it that, feeling guilty, he tried to atone for his misdeeds by having the great bell cast with 17 sutras. He hoped to "divert public indignation by striking the bell," according to an Ode to the Great Bell inscribed on the tablet erected during the reign of Qing Emperor Daoguang. The tablet still stands by the side of the bell.

In addition to the Yongle Bell, 31 other bronze bells from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties are also on display outside the temple.

At present, the museum is devoted to ancient bells. It is China's first bell museum set up in 1985. The museum features a display illustrating the evolution of Chinese bells and the history of Chinese metallurgy. The bells on show have been collected from all over China. Some of the bells were moved here form the temples in Beijing.