Let’s Go For a Ride, Along the central axis of Beijing

beijing central axis
Picture of sha liu

sha liu

Work Link

Let’s Go For a Ride, Along the central axis of Beijing

beijing central axis

Beijing Central Axis, these three words may be unfamiliar to many people. In fact, China’s renowned architect Liang Sicheng first proposed the notion of it in 1951. He called it “the world’s longest and greatest north-south central axis”. It is composed of 15 heritage sites, including the Forbidden City, the Bell and Drum Towers, Jingshan Hill, and the Temple of Heaven. When you walk through, you may have a deep impression of how the capital city of ancient China developed.

In ancient times, what is today known as the Beijing Central Axis, originated. It connected the Emporer’s home of the Forbidden City to important religious sites ike the Temple of Heaven.

Beijing Central Axis has been in the spotlight on many important international occasions, such as 2008 Beijing Olympics. At the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The dazzling firework display “Giant Footprint” was set off from the Yongdingmen Gate, extending along the Central Axis before arriving at the National Stadium (Bird Nest). On July 27, 2024, Beijing Central Axis was included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Today, modern urban planning has expanded the UNESCO recognised axis further. Moving north from the Forbiden City and you will reach the Birds Nest Stadium and the 2008 Olympic Park.

The historical axis is a major tourist attraction, it is a popular Cycle Route:
Bell and Drum Towers——Jingshan Hill——Forbidden City——Imperial Ancestral Temple——Tian’anmen Square Complex——Zhengyangmen Gate——Southern Section Road Archeological Sites——Yongdingmen Gate

Written by Liu Sha, pictures created by Wang Di. If you liked this article, why not read:Rabbits Have a Reunion on the Moon for Mid-Autumn Festival

Related Posts

Cold Dew festival traditions
Cold Dew Delights: A Journey Through China’s Autumn Flavours
the Temple of Heaven
Photo Essay: Celebrating Mid Autumn Festival Across China
Joan Chen
Joan Chen on Life, Love, and Writing Her Candid Memoir
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Jean-Jacques Annaud: Bridging Cultures Through Film
Liulihe Site Beijing
Liulihe Site: The Origins of Beijing
muqam
【Beyond the Scene】From Desert Oases to World Stage: The Twelve Muqam, A Cultural Treasure in Xinjiang
Ba Yi Iron Steel xinjiang
Seven Decades of Steel and Change at Ba Yi Iron & Steel
Atlas Silk
【Trending Code】How Does Xinjiang Atlas Silk Attract Modern Shoppers?
International Friends and China's War of Resistance
80 Years: Foreign Friends in China’s Fight for Peace
Nanyang Volunteer
The Unforgettable Heroes: Overseas Chinese in WWII
Scroll to Top
Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Free Newsletter

Updates on Chinese events each month.
News roundups straight to your inbox.
Exclusive content and giveaways.