The clepsydra at the Beijing drum tower consists of a series of vessels positioned in sequence at different elevations, from which water trickles down through taps, while at the base is a cylindrical vessel with a measuring rod that would rise with the water level and indicates the time. On the side stands a bronze, mechanical, mandarin-like figurine holding a set of cymbals, that would be activated by an overflow mechanism every 15 minutes and clap the cymbals.