On July 27th, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of the Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital, into its world heritage list.

The Central Axis of Beijing is 7.8 kilometers long, starting from the Yongding Gate in the south of the city and ending with the Drum Tower and Bell Tower in the north. Most of the major old-city buildings of Beijing are along this axis. Its construction started in the 13th century, since then, it had been continuously improved for more than seven centuries, becoming a well-ordered and magnificent urban architectural complex.

According to Article 1 of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, Central Axis of Beijing defined as one of the "groups of buildings". It consists of imperial palaces, ancient royal sacrificial buildings, ancient urban management facilities, national etiquette and public buildings, and the remains of the central road, totaling 15 heritage elements. The northern end of Central Axis of Beijing is the Bell and Drum Tower, and it extends southward through Wanning Bridge, Jingshan, the Forbidden City, Duanmen, Tian'anmen, Golden Water Bridge, Tian'anmen Square and the group of buildings, Zhengyangmen, the remains of the southern section of the road of Central Axis, and finally to its southern end, Yongdingmen. The Temple of Heaven and the Temple of Agriculture (Xiannong Altar) are located on the east and west sides of the central axis respectively.