Beijing, July 30, 2024 — The “Beijing Central Axis” has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as reported by the Chinese edition of World Tourism Pictorial. The inscription, titled “Beijing Central Axis – A Masterpiece of the Order of the Ideal Capital City of China,” was approved at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, on July 27. This addition brings the total number of World Heritage Sites in China to 59.
The inscription document describes the Beijing Central Axis as “an outstanding example of the mature stage of the central axis development of the traditional capital city of China and the most complete existing traditional central axis architectural complex in China.” Its grand scale, uniform planning layout and orderly urban landscape are cited as key factors in its heritage value.
The Beijing Central Axis refers to the symmetrical axis of buildings in Beijing’s east-west layout, dating back to the Dayidu in the Yuan Dynasty and the Beijing City in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. This central axis, which stretches about 7.8 kilometers from Yongdingmen in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north, was first built in the 13th century and fully developed in the 16th century. Its history spans over seven centuries.
While Tian’anmen Square, the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall are often associated with Chinese political consciousness, the “World Heritage” application of the Beijing Central Axis highlights the deeper cultural roots of the city’s planning. The central axis is rooted in the pre-Qin period, as described in the Rites of Zhou·Kaogongji, which outlines the planning paradigm of the ideal Chinese capital city: “The craftsman builds the capital, nine-li square, with three gates on each side. Inside the capital, there are nine longitudinal and nine latitudinal roads, with nine tracks on the main roads, ancestral temples on the left, altars on the right, the court in front and the market behind.” The central axis, shaped through the Yuan, Ming, Qing and modern periods, embodies this enduring tradition and reflects the cultural inheritance of Chinese civilization.
The Beijing Central Axis extends from north to south through the old city of Beijing. Through continuous evolution, it has become the world’s longest urban axis, spanning 7.8 kilometers. Its location, layout, urban form and design exemplify the traditional paradigm of the ideal Chinese capital city, showcasing the ancient Chinese urban planning tradition and serving as a vital symbol of the distinct characteristics of Chinese civilization.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognized the “Beijing Central Axis” for its integrity, authenticity, and protection management status, deeming it a unique example in the history of world cities. The traditional Chinese capital city planning theory and the philosophy of “Centrality” and “Harmony” embodied in the axis have made significant contributions to the history of world urban planning. The organization commended the Chinese government’s extraordinary efforts and accomplishments in safeguarding and preserving the cultural heritage of old Beijing.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee stated: “The Beijing Central Axis embodies the traditional Chinese capital city planning theory and the philosophy of ‘Centrality’ and ‘Harmony’ ，making an important contribution to the history of world urban planning and meeting criteria III of world heritage “; “As an outstanding example of the mature stage of the central axis of the traditional Chinese capital city, the Beijing Central Axis represents a unique type in the history of world cities, meeting the criteria IV of world heritage.” “It also recognizes the integrity, authenticity and protection management status of the Beijing Central Axis.” This evaluation by UNESCO is a clear affirmation of the traditional Chinese capital city planning theory and the philosophy of “Centrality” and “Harmony”.
The Beijing Central Axis embodies the distinctive characteristic of “integration” in cultural heritage, which is unique in the world. The central axis runs through Beijing from north to south, encompassing 15 heritage sites: the Bell and Drum Towers at the north end, Wanning Bridge, Jingshan, the Forbidden City, Duanmen, Tian’anmen, the Outer Jinshui Bridge, Tiananmen Square and its architectural complex, Zhengyang Gate, the road remnants of the southern section of the central axis and Yongding Gate at the south end. The Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Altar of the Land and Grain, the Temple of Heaven and the Xiannong Altar are located on the east and west sides of the central axis, forming the spine of the ancient city.
Building upon the essence of “integration” embodied by the Beijing Central Axis, the central axis was extended northward following Beijing’s successful bid for the Olympics, becoming the axis of the Olympic Park in the era of “tourism integrates the world”, and adding new international connotations to the central axis. The National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) was constructed on the east side, and the National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) on the west side. Extending northward through the Olympic Park to the Olympic Forest Park, both Yangshan and Aohai in the park are situated on the central axis.
As Li Qun, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the PRC and Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, noted in an interview, the success of the World Heritage application for the Beijing Central Axis is not the end, but rather a new beginning. The next step is to leverage the social utility and public education function of cultural relics resources represented by the “Beijing Central Axis”. Furthermore, various forms of international exchange and cooperation will be actively pursued, allowing the “Beijing Central Axis” to play a more prominent and positive role in promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and fostering greater mutual understanding between China and other countries.
CONTACT: themediacontact@gmail.com