The bianzhong, or Chinese chime bells, is one of the most important musical instruments in ancient Chinese history. Consisting of a set of bronze bells suspended on a large wooden frame, the instrument was used in ritual and court music for centuries and remains a symbol of China's early musical achievements.

Originating during the Shang Dynasty, the bianzhong flourished through subsequent dynasties and became a central feature of ceremonial occasions, including festivals, court audiences, military events and sacrificial rites. Bells of different sizes were arranged according to pitch and struck with wooden mallets, allowing musicians to perform complex musical compositions.

One of the most significant discoveries is the bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng, unearthed from a Warring States-period tomb dating to around 433 B.C. Consisting of 65 bells spanning five octaves, the set illustrates the advanced state of Chinese music theory and bronze-casting technology more than two millennia ago.