Aerial view of the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn by Beijing Municipal Office for Conservation and Management of Beijing Central Axis]

“Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital” has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming China’s 59th World Heritage Site. It was announced at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India, on July 27.

With its roots dating back to the paradigm of ideal capital planning in traditional Chinese culture, the Beijing Central Axis shows an ensemble of building complexes and archaeological sites that governs the overall layout of Beijing’s old city.

Stretching 7.8 kilometers north-south through the heart of Beijing, the inscribed property comprises 15 components, with the Bell and Drum Towers at its northern end and Yongdingmen Gate at the southern end.

A view of Drum Tower stands at the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn by Beijing Municipal Office for Conservation and Management of Beijing Central Axis]

The complex encompasses imperial palaces and gardens, imperial sacrificial buildings, ancient city management facilities, national ceremonial and public buildings, and central axis roads remains.

According to Lyu Zhou, director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University, this paradigm of city planning traces back to Kaogongji (Book of Diverse Crafts), written before 221 BCE, which outlines the rituals and order in the planning of a capital city.

A view of Yongdingmen Gate stands at the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn by Beijing Municipal Office for Conservation and Management of Beijing Central Axis]

Night view of Zhengyangmen Gate stands at the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn by National Cultural Heritage Administration]

A view of Zhengyangmen Gate stands at the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn by National Cultural Heritage Administration]

Aerial view of the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn by National Cultural Heritage Administration]

Some ancient building stand at the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

A view of Altar of Land and Grain at the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

A view of the Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao) stands at the Beijing Central Axis. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn by National Cultural Heritage Administration]

Source: China Daily