Living “Backbone” of Beijing

The Central Axis of Beijing refers to a giant cluster of buildings and urban spaces that stretches 7.8 kilometers from the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower in the north to the Yongding Gate in the south. It is a combination of streets, squares, buildings, and urban spaces. As the core area of the old city of Beijing, the Central Axis preserves 700 years of Eastern culture in the city with harmonious rhythms, distinctive symbols, and profound rituality.  

Famous Chinese architect Liang Sicheng (1901-1972) once said that the overall layout of the old city of Beijing shows the great tradition of China’s architecture as well as Chinese people’s wit and boldness in city planning. The unique and magnificent order of Beijing was built based on the Central Axis. The Central Axis application to be added to the World Heritage List was proposed due to the influence of Liang.  

Living Heritage with Traditional Wisdom

The Central Axis of Beijing was constructed based on the tradition of China’s city planning. It is not just an invisible line but rich cultural landscapes and a symmetric architectural layout. It is not only the longest urban central axis in the world, but also the richest in terms of connotations. China’s traditional culture and ideas are all embedded along the axis. The Central Axis is a magnificent axis where traditional Chinese culture, urban planning, and cityscape design ideas meld.

The Central Axis of Beijing inherited the order of urban architecture and planning ideas that took shape in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 B.C.). It is an inheritance of the spirit of Chinese culture for over 3,000 years. The Central Axis represents the core of the urban composition and the backbone of the layout of the city. Streets and alleys on both sides of the Central Axis form a unique pattern and texture, which makes the entire old city of Beijing a large symmetrical area in which a unique and magnificent order emerges and gentle and open urban spaces are controlled. This structure fosters a strong sense of integrity, stability, and belonging as well as strong centripetal force, attraction, and cohesion.

The Central Axis is also the carrier of complex and diverse culture and the lives of different social classes. In the past, the axis went through dwellings of various classes including ordinary people in Tianqiao and Qianmen areas of the outer city, dignitaries in the inner city, and emperors in the imperial palace.

The Chinese nation’s inclusiveness and pursuit of peace can be seen in the Central Axis. It is also a living heritage where the idea of traditional Chinese capital planning continues and even influences the city in modern days. The Central Axis is still extending all the way to the northern and southern rims of the city.

Protected by All

I have been engaged in the protection and utilization of the old city of Beijing and its Central Axis since I returned to China from studying abroad in the 1980s.

I was particularly impressed by the work that accompanied large-scale urban construction starting in July 2001, when Beijing successfully bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games. At that time, I was the director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources (Office of the Commission of Capital Planning and Construction). We were concerned in those days that newly built architectural clusters might invade the Central Axis and the cultural landscape of the Forbidden City. After thorough analysis, Beijing administrators decided to move the projects that could involve large building complexes outside the Fourth Ring Road. The Zhongguancun West District was built next to the West Fourth Ring Road; the area for Olympic stadiums was set along the North Fourth Ring Road; and the Beijing Central Business District was built along the East Fourth Ring Road. During the period, we formulated a plan to protect the imperial buildings in Beijing and participated in the formulation of a number of plans including a general plan to build Beijing Olympic Park. We also planned a World Cultural Heritage buffer zone around the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and other World Heritage sites, with a total area of 14 square kilometers. The buffer zone protects a large area of Beijing’s traditional alleys and courtyards. This very barrier made it possible for the Central Axis to apply for the World Heritage status.

Both the Beijing Municipal Government and citizens have made great efforts to protect the Central Axis. For instance, Beihai Hospital and Tianyi Market were two buildings at heights of 23.7 meters and 18 meters, respectively. They affected not only the integrity of the traditional landscape of Di’anmen Outer Street, but also the scenery of the Drum Tower and Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park. The two buildings were later renovated. The buildings of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were lowered so that people standing on the Yinding Bridge of Shichahai Lake can enjoy a complete view of western mountains as before. The Temple of Agriculture, where emperors of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties performed sacrifices to the God of Agriculture and held ceremonies to lead officials to plow, became the playground of Beijing Yu Cai School. After the land was returned to the Temple of Agriculture, the historical landscape called “one point three mu of land” (the area for this ceremony historically) was restored in 2019. Now, people can learn about the ceremony, build respect for farmers, and experience spring plowing and autumn harvests here.

The Central Axis application for the World Heritage status is far more than a formality. The move promotes the protection of the entire old city of Beijing. The application also aims to promote the value of Beijing’s history and culture, tell the stories of the Chinese civilization and its cultural tradition, and showcase the landscape of the capital city. It is also expected to enhance regulation of the city, improve the living environment, and promote sustainable development. And protecting, demonstrating, and promoting Beijing’s Central Axis requires participation from all walks of life. And the work won’t stop even after the application is approved.