Beijing Central Axis embodies Chinese rites, order, and philosophy in capital city planning

With its unique axis and symmetrical layout, the Beijing Central Axis vividly embodies China's millennium-old capital city planning traditions, which emphasize rites, order, and the philosophical ideals of equilibrium and harmony, cultural preservation specialists said.

The Beijing Central Axis, stretching 7.8 kilometers, begins at the Bell and Drum Towers in northern Beijing and extends southward through the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen, reaching Yongdingmen (Gate of Perpetual Peace). The Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao) and the Temple of Heaven are located on the eastern and western sides of the axis, respectively.

The principles of the urban layout include defining the north-south axis and establishing a "center" that reflects Confucian ideas. These principles aim to promote neutrality and harmony in society through symmetry and balance in the city's design.

Originating in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and further developed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the Axis has remained the foundation of Beijing's urban layout to this day, said Lyu Zhou, director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University.

"The Beijing Central Axis is a whole. It has experienced 700 years of continuous development and has been the foundation of the layout of Beijing. It reflects our understanding of what a nation should be, how to construct its order, and the order of people's lives. So, when we talk about the Beijing Central Axis, I think the most important aspect is that it serves as a prime example showcasing the ideal order of the Chinese capital," said Lyu.

Due to its significant historical importance, the Axis was added to the World Heritage List in July by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

UNESCO posted that Beijing Central Axis is an exceptionally well-preserved example of an urban ensemble. It added that the World Heritage site was developed based on "an ancient urban planning theory founded in Confucian principles" and has "a ritual dimension encompassing city planning, politics, and governance."

"The Beijing Central Axis is the physical representation of traditional values, architectural designs, and philosophical thoughts of ancient China. It showcases the diverse unity of the Chinese nation and is a masterpiece of the ideal order of the Chinese capital. Its inclusion in the World Heritage List addresses the absence of an urban layout originating from Oriental civilizations," said Guan Qiang, deputy director of China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

The symmetrical design embodied in the Axis, first found in Kaogongji, or Book of Diverse Crafts, written in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 B.C.), has a 3,000-year history, said Lyu, adding that the idea has been influencing China ever since.

"The ideas embodied in Beijing Central Axis, as found in Kaogongji, have 3,000 years of history. Over the 3,000 years, the Chinese people's understanding of urban construction and what a city and a state should be like has been showcased in the symmetrical urban pattern," said Lyu.

Beijing Central Axis embodies Chinese rites, order, and philosophy in capital city planning

Daming, an ancient county in north China's Hebei Province, has witnessed a surge in tourist inflow so far in the week-long National Day holiday which started on October 1, fueled by a thriving night-time economy featuring a diverse range of attractions from dazzling light shows to bustling night markets.

As the night unfolded, the Daming Stone Carving Museum would be packed with visitors eager to see a spectacular light display. When the clock strikes seven, buildings inside the complex would be illuminated with stunning light beams, eliciting cheers from the delighted crowds.

Outside the museum, the cultural district would be buzzing with visitors strolling beneath glowing red lanterns. Nearby, the night market captivates tourists with stalls offering unique local delicacies and traditional crafts as well as interactive games and live performances.

"We just watched an immersive cultural performance, and it was fantastic. We learned about history while enjoying the beautiful scenery, and the lighting here is truly gorgeous," said He Yudi, a tourist.

Daming and local characters hold a prominent place in classic Chinese novel series "Outlaws of the Marsh," inspiring the tourism department to develop cultural projects rooted in this renowned literary work which tells the story of 108 outlaws who band together in the Liangshan Marsh to fight against corruption and injustice in the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

"We have taken various measures to attract more tourists, such as issuing consumption coupons and organizing cultural activities that integrate the 'Outlaws of the Marsh' elements and immersive experiences," said Ma Rui, the night market operation manager.

Official data showed that Daming County received a daily average of more than 300,000 tourist visits during the first three days of the National Day holiday.

Vibrant night economy sparks tourism boom in Chinese county during National Day holiday