Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital

On July 27, at the 46th World Heritage Conference of UNESCO held in New Delhi, India, "Beijing Central Axis - A Masterpiece of China's Ideal Capital Order" was included in the World Heritage List.

Totaling 7.8 kilometers in length, Beijing Central Axis is located in the heart of the old city, running from north to south. It is composed of 15 heritage components. From the Bell and Drum Towers to the Forbidden City, Tian’anmen, and then to Zhengyangmen and Yongdingmen gates. It is a combination of buildings and sites that dominate the planning pattern of the old city.

Along the axis there are imperial palaces and gardens, imperial sacrificial buildings, ancient urban management facilities, national ceremonial and public buildings, and roads. It was initially built in the 13th century, took shape in the 16th century, and has been constantly refined since then. After more than 7 centuries of construction, it has formed a magnificent urban architectural complex, witnessing the ideal order of capital cities that has influenced the buildings of traditional Chinese cities for more than two thousands years.