What is Beijing's central axis? Exploring the historical value of the group of buildings that represent the ideal order of China's capital

The Beijing Central Axis, a group of buildings showing the ideal order of the Chinese capital, was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2024. We will explain the outline of this symbolic axis, which is filled with Chinese urban planning and history, and the reasons for its registration in an easy-to-understand manner. Let's explore its value together while exploring the city's development and cultural background.

What is Beijing's Central Axis?

Outline of the central axis

Beijing's central axis is a historical urban axis that runs north to south through the center of Beijing, the capital of China. This axis connects the former imperial palaces and religious facilities, important urban administration facilities, and ceremonial and public buildings, and forms the core of Beijing's urban design. Over the course of about 700 years, from the Yuan dynasty to the Qing dynasty, this axis was formed along with Beijing's urban development, and it remains the foundation of the city's structure today. The central axis reflects Chinese history and culture as a symbol of the perfect order of urban planning and the harmony between nature and humans.

Position and extent of the central axis

Beijing's Central Axis is an axis stretching approximately 7.8 kilometers from the Bell and Drum Tower in the north to the Yongdingmen Gate in the south. This axis runs through the center of Beijing's old city, with many important historical buildings and ruins concentrated around it. The northern end of the Central Axis begins at the Bell and Drum Tower, passes south through the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, and finally ends at Yongdingmen Gate. The extent of the Central Axis is defined by the centerlines of the physical urban elements and roads that connect these major buildings, and strongly reflects the historical background of the city.

Major landmarks that make up the central axis

The central axis includes 15 major landmarks that represent Beijing's history and culture. The most important of these are the Forbidden City, the former imperial palace and a magnificent example of Chinese architectural technique and design, and Tiananmen Square, the political and cultural centre of modern China and the site of many historic events. Other landmarks include Jingshan Park, Zhengyangmen Gate, the Drum and Bell Towers and the Temple of Heaven, all deeply linked to Chinese imperial culture, ritual and urban administration.

Cultural and historical significance of the central axis

Beijing's central axis reflects the long tradition of Chinese urban planning, and its planning and design are based on the concept of an ideal capital city described in the Kaogongji. This axis symbolizes order and harmony by placing imperial buildings at the center of the city, surrounded by ceremonial venues and administrative facilities. The central axis also illustrates Beijing's role as the political, cultural and religious center of China, and its urban layout has influenced urban planning throughout East Asia. Moreover, this axis bears witness to Beijing's urban development from ancient times to the present day, and in the process has become an important cultural landscape that reflects China's social and political transformation.

History of Beijing's Central Line

The origin of the central axis in the Yuan dynasty

The history of Beijing's central axis dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), when Kublai Khan, the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, ordered the construction of Dadu (modern-day Beijing). The city was designed as the capital of the Yuan Dynasty, with the area located north of the current central axis as its center. Based on the ancient urban planning book Kaogongji, Dadu was designed to have an ideal urban layout with a "front yard, rear market" and a "left ancestor, right shrine." Yuan urban design reflected the authority of the emperor while harmonizing with nature, and the central axis became a symbol of imperial rule during the Yuan Dynasty.

Ming Dynasty expansion of the central axis

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was a time of extensive expansion of Beijing's central axis. Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, decided to move the capital from Nanjing to Beijing and developed Beijing into the new imperial capital. During this period, the current Forbidden City was built at the center of the central axis, and the palace city was developed to extend from north to south. In addition, important buildings such as the Temple of Heaven, the Temple of Earth, and the Zhengyangmen Gate were placed on the central axis, making it 7.8 kilometers long. These constructions established Beijing's role as the political and cultural center of China, and the central axis became its symbol.

Development and Improvement of the Central Axis during the Qing Dynasty

During the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), the central axis was further developed and improved. In particular, during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795), the city's aesthetic and functional improvements were made. The Qing Dynasty largely inherited the layout of the central axis from the Ming Dynasty, but strengthened the development of Jingshan, the Temple of Heaven, and other ceremonial sites. The Qing Dynasty also built the outer city walls to strengthen the city's defenses, making Beijing's central axis more solid. During this period, the central axis served as an important urban axis symbolizing the authority of the emperor and the stability of the country.

Transformation of the central axis since the modern era

After the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the 20th century, Beijing's central axis underwent a major transformation. In particular, with the establishment of the Republic of China, buildings and spaces that had been ceremonial venues for the emperor were opened to the public and repurposed as museums and public parks. In addition, Tiananmen Square was extensively redesigned in the mid-20th century, and modern buildings such as the Monument to the People's Heroes and the National Museum of China were constructed around the square. Thus, in the process of modernization, Beijing's central axis transformed from its traditional role to a new role as a public space.

Preservation and reconstruction of the central axis project

With the progress of modernization, the preservation and reconstruction of Beijing's central axis became an important issue. Since the second half of the 20th century, the Beijing Municipal Government has focused on preserving this historical axis, and has promoted the restoration and reconstruction of important buildings. In particular, in 2005, Yongdingmen, the former southern gate of the outer city, was rebuilt, restoring the historical integrity of the central axis. In addition, major landmarks such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven have been restored in accordance with international preservation standards to maintain their historical value. These preservation activities have become important efforts to pass on Beijing's central axis to future generations.

Why Beijing's Central Axis was inscribed as a World Heritage Site

Criterion (iii): The value of the central axis as an embodiment of Chinese urban planning tradition

Beijing's central axis is a precious heritage that embodies the long history and tradition of Chinese urban planning. For about 700 years, from the Yuan Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, Beijing's urban structure developed around this central axis. The design of the central axis is based on the ancient Chinese urban planning book Kaogongji, which places the imperial palace at the center of the city and arranges ceremonial and administrative facilities in an orderly manner around it, symbolizing order and harmony. This axis is a political and cultural symbol of Chinese imperial rule, and indicates Beijing's role as the political, cultural and religious center of China. Based on this historical background, the central axis was evaluated as worthy of embodying China's urban planning tradition and was recognized as meeting the registration criterion (iii).

Criterion (iv): Symbolic layout of the axis that combines ritual and urban administration

Beijing's central axis is not just the central axis of the city, but has a symbolic layout that combines imperial ceremonies and urban administration. The buildings and facilities arranged on the central axis each fulfill a specific ritual or urban administration function, and this axis was planned as a demonstration of the authority of the Chinese imperial system. For example, the Forbidden City was the residence of the emperor and the political center, while the Temple of Heaven and the Temple of Earth were places where the emperor performed rituals to pray to the agricultural gods. In this way, the central axis played an important role in urban planning, forming an urban space where rituals and politics were integrated. This unique urban layout marks an important stage in Chinese history and was evaluated as a criterion (iv) for inscription.

The uniqueness of the central axis as a cultural landscape

Beijing's Central Axis is more than just a physical urban structure. It is unique as a cultural landscape. The Central Axis forms an urban space where Beijing's geographical and natural elements are in harmony with human creations, symbolically expressing the relationship between nature and humans. Natural elements such as the Jingshan Mountains and the Temple of Heaven are incorporated into the urban structure, creating a landscape where the authority of the emperor and the power of nature are fused together. This cultural landscape of the Central Axis sets it apart from other World Heritage Sites and is unique in its existence, unlike any other in the world. This uniqueness further highlights its value as a World Heritage Site.

The significance of the central axis, preserved between tradition and modernization

Beijing's Central Axis has undergone many changes throughout its long history. Since the modern era, many of the buildings and spaces along the Central Axis have taken on new roles and been exposed to the wave of modernization, while at the same time maintaining its traditional urban planning and cultural value. Especially since the second half of the 20th century, the Beijing government has made great efforts to preserve and rebuild the Central Axis, striving to maintain as much of its historical integrity as possible. This preservation activity between tradition and modernization shows that the Central Axis is not simply a legacy of the past, but plays an important cultural role in the present day as well. In this respect, too, the significance of the Central Axis as a World Heritage Site has been recognized.

The process of World Heritage registration and ICOMOS evaluation

The inscription of Beijing's Central Axis on the World Heritage List was the result of extensive investigation and evaluation. ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) carefully evaluated the historical value and cultural significance of the Central Axis, and as a result, found that it met criteria (iii) and (iv) for inscription. ICOMOS also evaluated the state of conservation and management of the Central Axis, and recommended its inscription on the World Heritage List, provided that it is properly protected and managed in the future. The inscription of the Central Axis on the World Heritage List is the result of widespread recognition of its international cultural value, and calls for its continued protection and management in the future.

summary

Beijing's central axis is an important heritage symbolizing the tradition and historical value of Chinese urban planning. It served as the city's center for 700 years, from the Yuan dynasty to the Qing dynasty, and still retains its cultural and historical significance today. Its recognition as a World Heritage Site lies in its unique urban layout and ceremonial role.