Citizens and visitors stop to view the “Our Central Axis – Beijing Central Axis Public Participation Project Achievement Exhibition.”
Yesterday, the “Our Central Axis – Beijing Central Axis Public Participation Project Achievement Exhibition” opened at Huguo Guanyin Temple. Over 100 physical models, video works, and cultural maps systematically showcase the achievements of public participation in the protection of Beijing Central Axis cultural heritage over the past two years, outlining a vivid picture of the central axis.
Using ancient architectural courtyards as exhibition halls and relying on digital technology and artistic installations, over 100 exhibits are presented in three chapters: “Fruits on the Branches,” “Footsteps Along the Way,” and “Hearts’ Desires,” vividly demonstrating the innovative practices in Beijing Central Axis heritage protection. The largest exhibit in the exhibition is a 10-meter-long collectively created map of Beijing Central Axis. The image not only includes 15 heritage components such as the Bell and Drum Towers, Jingshan Park, and the Forbidden City, but also meticulously depicts cultural facilities within the central axis buffer zone.
“This map contains a total of 88 icons. Around cultural relic buildings and open spaces, intangible cultural heritage and old Beijing folk customs such as Tianqiao acrobatics, Beijing Rabbit Lord, and roast duck techniques are also marked.” The project involved 70 volunteers who spent over three months designing this cultural map of the central axis. “Based on field investigations and research, the volunteers also recorded cultural activities along the central axis using photos and videos as archival materials.”
The blue waves under the Wanning Bridge, the autumn charm in Zhongshan Park, the auspicious snow in the Forbidden City… The exhibition also displays a large number of photographic works, showcasing the magnificent central axis from different perspectives through the public’s lens. Historical documents such as the “Complete Map of Beijing from the Qianlong Era” and the plan of the Altar of Land and Grain are also exhibited alongside, taking visitors through time to understand the historical context of the central axis.
“The Beijing Central Axis Heritage Protection Public Participation Project, launched in 2024, has attracted over one million participants.” This exhibition centrally displays the achievements of thematic activities including heritage monitoring and inspection, collective cultural mapping, and heritage image creation. Visitors can touch old photos and handwritten notes on digital screens to learn about volunteers’ daily efforts in protecting cultural heritage, and “roam” through the ancient capital via video works.
The exhibition concludes with an interactive experience area where visitors can participate in central axis knowledge base quizzes through interactive exhibits and watch promotional videos about central axis protection achievements. “We hope more people will come to love the central axis.”
The exhibition will run until February 2026.
Huguo Guanyin Temple
Huguao Guanyin Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the Xicheng District of Beijing, China. It was originally constructed during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, with a history dating back to the 17th century. The temple is dedicated to Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and is known for its serene atmosphere and traditional Chinese architecture.
Bell and Drum Towers
The Bell and Drum Towers are two iconic historical structures in Beijing, China, that served as the city’s official timekeeping center during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Drum Tower was used to mark the time with drumbeats, while the Bell Tower announced the time with chimes. They stand as significant symbols of ancient Beijing’s urban planning and imperial legacy.
Jingshan Park
Jingshan Park is a historic imperial garden located directly north of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was created in the Ming Dynasty using earth excavated to form the moats of the Forbidden City, and its central hill, Coal Hill, offers a panoramic view of the former imperial palace. The park is also known as the site where the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, committed suicide in 1644.
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City, located in Beijing, was the imperial palace of China’s Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 to 1912. This vast complex, with its intricate traditional Chinese architecture, served as the political and ceremonial center of the Chinese government for nearly 500 years. Today, it is preserved as the Palace Museum and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wanning Bridge
I am unable to provide a specific summary for “Wanning Bridge” as I do not have sufficient information about it in my knowledge base. There are several bridges in China with this name, and without a specific location (e.g., city or province), I cannot confirm its history or significance. To get an accurate summary, please provide more context, such as the city where this bridge is located.
Zhongshan Park
Zhongshan Park is a common name for public parks in many Chinese cities, typically named in honor of Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan), a revered leader of the 1911 revolution. The most famous one is in Beijing, which was originally the Temple of Earth (Ditan) and an imperial sacrificial site during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was converted into a public park in 1914 and renamed in 1928 to commemorate Sun Yat-sen.
Altar of Land and Grain
The Altar of Land and Grain, also known as the Sheji Altar, was a ceremonial site in imperial China used for making sacrifices to the gods of soil (She) and grain (Ji). Established in Beijing during the Ming Dynasty, it symbolized the emperor’s role as the guardian of the nation’s agricultural prosperity and territorial integrity. Its historical significance lies in representing the fundamental connection between the state, its land, and its people’s livelihood.
Beijing Central Axis
The Beijing Central Axis is a 7.8-kilometer north-south line that has organized the city’s layout since the 13th-century Yuan Dynasty. This monumental axis runs through the heart of the historic capital, connecting key sites like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Drum Tower. It represents the core of ancient Chinese urban planning and imperial power, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2023.
