Aerial View of Beijing’s Central Axis
[Photo by Ma Wenxiao]
July 27 marks the first anniversary of the successful inscription of Beijing’s Central Axis on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Over the past year, this 7.8-kilometer “spine of the ancient capital” has been brimming with new vitality, emerging as a true golden calling card of Beijing.
Since gaining World Heritage status, Beijing’s Central Axis has evolved from a renowned cultural tourism landmark into a prominent platform for international exchange and civilizational dialogue. On April 10, 2025, Beijing announced the first batch of 17 venues for the Beijing Culture Forum, ten of which are located within the Central Axis heritage area and its buffer zones. These include the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Temple of Heaven, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Celebration Palace at Xiannongtan Park, and The Guan: Beijing Central Axis Local Culture Museum. Take Xiannongtan as an example — once the grandest royal site for worshiping the God of Agriculture, it has now transformed into Beijing’s “diplomatic salon for global governance”. It has hosted diplomats and cultural envoys from over 50 countries, as well as more than 270 travel industry representatives from over 40 countries and regions.
With over 700 years of history, Beijing’s Central Axis is blending its deep cultural legacy with fresh, modern vitality, becoming an integral part of everyday life. From routine sightseeing and immersive cultural activities to bringing home creative souvenirs like phoenix crown fridge magnets or Tiangong ceiling dome magnets, the ancient and the modern now coexist in vivid harmony. Visitors can also unwind on rooftop terraces — sipping tea or coffee, savoring local delicacies, watching performances, enjoying concerts, or even playing a game of tennis. Today, more than 30 rooftop terraces can be found along the Central Axis, such as No. 33 Gulou West Street, No. 20 Zhaofu Street, the rooftop of Longfu Building, and the rooftop of Hongqiao Market — each offering sweeping views of the city’s evolving skyline, where the timeless charm of the old capital meets the vibrancy of contemporary life.
Resource from beijing.gov