China

Beijing Central Axis

WHS Score 3.12
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0.5

  • Vincent Cheung

1.0

  • Clyde
  • Stanimir

1.5

  • Dwight Zehuan Xiao

2.0

  • Jon Opol
  • Shandos Cleaver
  • Zoë Sheng

2.5

  • AC
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  • Lucio Gorla
  • Pchxiao
  • Philipp Leu
  • Svein Elias
  • trekkie900
  • Velvetlapis

3.0

  • Alejandro Lau
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  • Frederik Dawson
  • George Gdanski
  • Javier
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  • Joyce van Soest
  • Ken DJ
  • Mo-han Je
  • nan
  • Priyaranjan Mohapatra
  • Shijie ZHU
  • Solivagant
  • Thomas van der Walt

3.5

  • Alexander Barabanov
  • Christravelblog
  • GeorgeIng61
  • Ian Cade
  • J_neveryes
  • JoStof
  • Kasper
  • Kevin McFarland
  • Kyle Magnuson
  • Philipp Peterer
  • Randi Thomsen
  • Szucs Tamas
  • Zhenjun Liu

4.0

  • Alex Marcean
  • A. Mehmet Haksever
  • Bin
  • Carl Le Boeuf
  • Collisions
  • Csaba Nováczky
  • cutecid
  • Els Slots
  • Mihai Dascalu
  • PabloNorte
  • Peter Lööv
  • ReallyDeepThoughts
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  • Tcchang0825
  • Tikhon Puliaev
  • tingmelvin
  • Tony H.
  • Xiquinho Silva
  • ZCTLife

4.5

  • Adrian Turtschi
  • chenboada
  • Helios
  • Maciej Gil
  • Yang Chengyu

5.0

  • Hurrvinek
  • KngAlaric

Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital showcases urban planning along Confucian ideas.

The design is based on a symmetrical north-south axis with a ‘centre’. The Axis is 7.8 kilometres long and stretches from the Bell and Drum Towers to the Yongdingmen Gate, with 15 major landmarks along the way such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and Tian'anmen Square.

Community Perspective: Reviewers wonder why this needed to be a separate inscription, as parts have been inscribed as other WHS also. Kyle has highlighted the additional parts.

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital (ID: 1714)
Country
China
Status
Inscribed 2024 Site history
History of Beijing Central Axis
2013: Revision
Includes former TWHS Beihai Park (1996)
2024: Inscribed
Inscribed
WHS Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • iii
  • iv
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
Related Resources
News Article
  • Dec. 27, 2024 globaltimes.cn — Beijing's Zhengyang Gate arrow tower reopens to public

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Natural landscape: Forest
  • Archaeological site: Pre-Columbian
  • Urban landscape: Asian
Travel Information
One million visitors or more
One million visitors or more
Forbidden City (Palace Museum): Visitors (2023): ~9.3 million (daily-capped)
Exact locations inscribed twice (or more)
Exact locations inscribed twice (or more)
3 times: Imperial Palace of Beijing, Temple of Heaven, Grand Canal (a section – …
Beijing hotspot
Recent Connections
View all (34) .
Connections of Beijing Central Axis
Individual People
  • Marco Polo
    ICOMOS ackowledges the 'Travels of Marco Polo' can be considered a 'valuable source of information' in relation to the nominated property, but not enough for 'global significance'. "ICOMOS notes that while the Travels of Marco Polo is an important literary work, it is not solely associated with the nominated property and its timeframe corresponds only to the initial phase of the Axis during the Yuan Dynasty and not to the Ming Dynasty when its major development took place. The nomination dossier mentions that the book describes in detail the layout of the nominated property when it was established as Dadu, and ICOMOS considers that as such, it can be used as a valuable source of information, but the association does not itself demonstrate outstanding global significance." - AB Evaluation
  • Odoric of Pordenone

    He spent three years in the imperial capital of Khanbaliq (now Beijing) (wiki)

  • Jean-Michel Jarre
    In 2004, Jarre opens the "Year of France in China" with a concert in the Forbidden City and on Tiananmen Square. (Wikipedia)
  • Mao was here
    Mao is here (Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Tiananmen Square)

    See en.wikipedia.org

Geography
Trivia
  • Dragon
    "Inside (Jufu Hall), the wooden beams are adorned with lacquered images of imperial golden dragons."

    See www.wmf.org

  • One million visitors or more
    Forbidden City (Palace Museum): Visitors (2023): ~9.3 million (daily-capped)
  • On Banknotes
    Great Hall of the People on ¥100 (October 1, 1999, 2005 & 2015) Zhengyangmen ¥500 First Series (September 10, 1949) Tiananmen Square ¥1 Second Series (March 1, 1955-January 1, 1999, March 25, 1961-January 1, 1999), ¥10 Third Series (1965-July 1, 2000)
  • On Passports
    Chinese Passport: Beijing & Extra Page Temple of Heaven
  • Olympic Venues
    the men's marathon in Beijing in 2008 started in Tiananmen Square
  • WHS within walking distance
    Imperial Palace (1987), Temple of Heaven (1998), Grand Canal (2014) *Wanning Bridge (Old Beijing City Section of Tonghui Canal)
History
  • Contains significant structures from the 20th Century
    The most extensive urban intervention was the total remodelling and expansion of Tian'anmen Square which was finalised in 1977. In this period, the Monument to the People's Heroes (1952-1958), the National Museum of China (1958-1959), the Great Hall of the People (1958-1959), and the Chairman Mao Memorial (1976) were built. To accommodate the growing city traffic, the Zhengyangmen Gate and surrounding areas were renovated in 1914-1915 and the Yongdingmen Gate and surrounding areas were demolished and renovated in the 1950s." - AB Evaluation
  • Inscribed in connection with an anniversary
    Just in time for the 75th Anniversary since the Proclamation of the People's Republic of China on October 1st, 1949 in Tiananmen Square. [1949 / 2024]

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Contains significant structures from the 21st Century
    Yongdingmen Gate Tower (2005) "The Yongdingmen Gate Tower and Archery Tower were demolished in 1957 to relieve traffic pressure. Yongdinmen Gate's reconstruction project started in 2004 and was completed in the following year. The reconstruction work was strictly based on the archaeological findings and research results from the historical records." - Nomination File
Architecture
  • Glazed tiles
    "Jufu Hall, one of the major buildings at the site, possesses a multi-colored façade and a broad roof lined with glazed tile"

    See www.wmf.org

  • Chinese Garden
    Jingshan Hill "The Jingshan Hill is the tallest point and a key skyline node on the Beijing Central Axis. Its position and relationship to the north of the Forbidden City demonstrate the planning concept of Chinese palaces and gardens. Its towering hill, picturesque garden, and ornate buildings enrich the architectural sequence of the Axis." - Nomination File
World Heritage Process
  • Reconstruction regarded as unsatisfactory
    "ICOMOS notes two elements of concern in relation to authenticity. The first relates to the remodelling and extension of Tian'anmen Square Complex during the 20th century. The second concern refers to the reconstruction of the Yongdingmen Gate in 2005 after its demolition in 1957. ICOMOS considers that the authenticity of the Tian'anmen Square Complex and the Yongdingmen Gate has been compromised." - AB Evaluation
  • Exact locations inscribed twice (or more)
    3 times: Imperial Palace of Beijing, Temple of Heaven, Grand Canal (a section – Wanning Bridge – of the Old Beijing City Section of Tonghui Canal)
  • Perfect Inscriptions
    2024
Religion and Belief
  • Confucianism
    "The Tilling Ritual and other agricultural ceremonies were first outlined by Confucius in the Li Ji, or Book of Rites, and they endured at Xiannongtan for centuries."

    See www.wmf.org

Human Activity
  • Communism
    The most extensive urban intervention was the total remodelling and expansion of Tian'anmen Square which was finalised in 1977. In this period, the Monument to the People's Heroes (1952-1958), the National Museum of China (1958- 1959), the Great Hall of the People (1958-1959), and the Chairman Mao Memorial (1976) were built." - AB Evaluation
Constructions
  • Monumental Columns
    There's a huabiao in front of the Tiananmen in Beijing. Huabiao is a type of ceremonial column used in traditional Chinese architecture. - Wiki

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Famous Bells
    King of Ancient Bells, located in the Bell Tower "Inside the tower is a bronze bell weighing 63 metric tons and measuring 5.5 meters tall. Cast during the Yongle reign (1403-1424) of the Ming Dynasty, the bell is hung from an octagonal frame." - Nomination File "The bronze bell hanging on the second floor of the Bell Tower, inscribed with "Made in the Yongle Reign of Ming Dynasty" and weighing 63 tons, is known as the "King of Ancient Bells" in China." - Beijing Tourism

    See english.visitbeijing.com.cn

  • Notable Bridges
    The Axis run from the central platform, crossing the Wanning Bridge and the Houzaihongmen Gate, which corresponded to the north gate of the imperial city." - AB Evaluation "Wanning Bridge, located in Di'anmenwai Street, Xicheng District, was built in the 22nd year of the Zhiyuan Period of the Yuan Dynasty (1285 AD). The stone bridge from the Yuan Dynasty strides over the estuary where Shichahai's water flows into the Yu River, and was the starting point of the Grand Canal in the Yuan Dynasty. A World Cultural Heritage sign for the Grand Canal stands next to the bridge." - Wanning Bridge

    See english.beijing.gov.cn

  • Large squares
    Tiananmen Square 215,000 m2

    See en.wikipedia.org

  • Mausolea
    Mao Zedong (1893 - 1976)
  • Canals
    "The Wanning Bridge has been vital for north-south traffic since its construction in the Yuan Dynasty. It is an important bridge connecting the city's north-south traffic, and the inter-section between the Yuhe River and the Schichahai Lake area, where the Beijing Central Axis joins the Grand Canal." - Nomination File
  • Sites of Parliament
    Great Hall of the People: " It is used for legislative and ceremonial activities by the government of the People's Republic of China and the ruling Chinese Communist Party. The People's Great Hall functions as the meeting place for the full sessions of the National People's Congress, the Chinese legislature..." (wiki)
  • Freestanding Bell Tower
    "The Bell and Drum Towers regulated the opening and closing of gates and other daily activities of citizens." - AB Evaluation
  • Zero Mile or Kilometer Markers
    "The kilometre zero point for highways is at Tiananmen Square, just outside the Zhengyangmen Gate. It is marked with a plaque in the ground, with the four cardinal points, four animals, and "Zero Point of Highways, China" in English and Chinese." - Wiki
WHS on Other Lists
Timeline
WHS Hotspots
News
globaltimes.cn 12/27/2024
Beijing's Zhengyang Gate arrow tow…
Recent Visitors
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Visitors of Beijing Central Axis
Reserved for members.

Community Reviews

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First published: 24/12/24.

Tony H.

Beijing Central Axis

Beijing Central Axis (Inscribed)

Beijing Central Axis by Tony H.

Visited in June 2024 just before the site was added to the WH list. On this review I will focus on the parts of the axis that are not inscribed otherwise, so I'm skipping Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City and Wanning Bridge in this review.

After visiting Temple of Heaven I exited it through the western gate. From here starts Yongdingmen Park and I was surprised to see almost immediately a map of the Beijing Central Axis that showed the core zone and the buffer zone of the WH site! On the map Yongdingmen Park was marked as "Southern Section Road Archeological Sites". Walking bit further into the park there were other maps showing the exact spots of these archaeological sites. Of those 3 marked sites I only saw the one titled as "Stone Road Site North of the Yongdingmen Gate" which according to the information sign is "the material evidence that irrefutably show the location, orientation, engineering techniques, and history of continuous use of the central road, and bear witness to the state ritual traditions that has continued on Beijing Central Axis to this day." Big words for what is essentially now couple stone slabs on the ground. Next to this these stone slabs is however the magnificent Yongdingmen Gate. I was then surprised to learn that this gate was rebuilt in 2005 and nothing around it is original construction (except those stone slabs). Best part of visiting the park and the gate was that there was almost …

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First published: 10/08/24.

Kyle Magnuson

Beijing Central Axis

Beijing Central Axis (Inscribed)

Beijing Central Axis by Kyle Magnuson

With the Beijing Central Axis joining the World Heritage List, I want to focus on what is newly inscribed. Therefore, in this review I will not include any information about the Old Beijing City Section of Tonghui Canal, the Forbidden City, or the Temple of Heaven. Additionally, I will not focus on sites within the boundaries (primarily after 1949) which do not contribute to the OUV. The Imperial Palace boundary is the moat, therefore plenty of buildings associated with or adjacent to the Forbidden City were previously not inscribed.

From North to South

  • Bell Tower - 47.9 meters high, includes a 63 metric ton bell called 'King of the Bells' which was cast in the early 1400's
  • Drum Tower - 46.7 meters high, originally included 25 drums though all were lost, the building was rebuilt in the year 1800
  • Wanning Bridge - oldest bridge of the Beijing Central Axis, 13th Century Yuan Dynasty, a rare Beijing site predating the Ming Dynasty
  • Jingshan Hill - tallest point on the axis and a key viewpoint, includes Chinese Garden landscape with 1,000 year old trees
  • Altar of Land and Grain - an important part of the 'ideal capital of a Chinese city', the Altar of Land and Grain must be on the LEFT
  • Imperial Ancestral Temple - an important part of the 'ideal capital of a Chinese city', the Ancestral Temple Grain must be on the RIGHT
  • Upright Gate - part of the entrance …
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First published: 10/06/24.

Zoë Sheng

Beijing Central Axis

Beijing Central Axis (Inscribed)

Beijing Central Axis by Zoë Sheng

I definitely like this nomination but it needs to be limited to only important areas. I used this picture (public domain) because it shows 100 years ago Tiananmen Square was an important place and unfortunately the modern student protests including a car terrorist attack in 2013 make us feel the place isn't right for UNESCO. It was also massively renovated with the people's hall, Mao's mausoleum (which used to be the Gate of China area), the museum, none of these should be listed as world heritage. This is only the square, with the other locations usually the same: important, old, but renovated and improved. My picture of Qianmen above (not actually public domain) shows a modern shopping street. It used to be different, even a brothel at a time, but it would only get nominated as the modern look.

If you haven't seen the axis it would surprise me because they even want to add the Temple of Heaven and the Tiananmem Square is hard to miss, you'll probably run into one of the old gates or Beihai park. Like I said I can't see this not getting inscribed but it will cause a lot of problems if not limited to just the old gates.

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First published: 30/12/22.

Vincent Cheung

Beijing Central Axis

Beijing Central Axis (Inscribed)

Beijing Central Axis by Els Slots

While Beijing is a great old city rich of cultural heritages, I find it hard to understand why the Central Axis can be nominated as a new World Heritage item.

The nomination contains these sites: Yongding Gate, Temple of Heaven, Temple of Agriculture, Tian'anmen Square complex, Imperial Ancestral Temple, Altar of the Land and Grain, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Hill, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Nanluoguxiang, Yandai Bystreet historic area, and the Beihai water system.

The Forbidden City is already listed as World Heritage (Imperial Palaces); Temple of Heaven is also listed as an independent item; Beihai water system is part of The Grand Canal. We don’t need to give them another world heritage honor to emphasize their importance.

Imperial Ancestral Temple, Altar of the Land and Grain are royal temples connected to the Forbidden City, and similarly Jingshan Hill is also a royal garden connected to the Forbidden City. They all can be an extension of Imperial Palaces.

Temple of Agriculture is near by Temple of Heaven at the south, and they are for the same purpose basically: Praying to the Sky (Heaven, same word in Chinese) for good weather in order to have good harvest (Agriculture). Thus Temple of Agriculture is better to be an extension of Temple of Heaven.

The government demolished Beijing City Wall and only left behind a few gates. While Yongding Gate is great, does it still have sufficient OUV? At least Xi’an and Nanjing have the whole city walls …

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