The Beijing Central Axis is the symmetrical axis of the east-west symmetrical buildings in Beijing. It is about 7.8 kilometers long, starting from Yongding Gate in the south and ending at the Bell and Drum Tower in the north. This central axis brings together the essence of ancient urban architecture and also witnesses the changes of Beijing. Let's take a look at the attractions along the way.
Yongding Gate
Yongding Gate is the starting point of Beijing's Central Axis. It is located in Yongdingmen Park and is the largest and most important city gate in the outer city of Ming and Qing dynasties. It was built in the 32nd year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1553), implying "lasting peace".
In 2004, in order to restore the starting point of Beijing Central Axis, the Yongding Gate Tower was rebuilt, and it became the first city gate to be rebuilt in Beijing.
Address: Inside the Yongding Gate Park, Yongding Gate East Binhe Lu(Rd), Dongcheng District, Beijing
Transportation: Take Beijing Subway Line 14 and get off at Yongdingmenwai Station
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is located to the east of Yongding Gate. It was a special altar for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices to heaven, pray for rain and a good harvest. It is the largest and most perfect ancient building complex for offering sacrifices to heaven in the world.
The Temple of Heaven is divided into two parts, the inner and outer altars, and the sacrificial buildings are concentrated in the inner altar. The axis connecting the two altars is called the "divine path", also known as the "Haiman Avenue", symbolizing the long road to the heaven.
Address: No. A1, Tiantan Donglu(Rd), Dongcheng District, Beijing
Transportation: Take subway Line 5 and get off at Tiantan East Gate Station.
Zhengyangmen Gate
All the way to the north, through the Zhushikou Dajie(St), you will come to Zhengyangmen Gate, formerly known as Lizhengmen Gate, is the south gate of the inner city of Beijing in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is one of the "nine gates of the capital" in the old Beijing.
On the north side of Zhengyangmen Gate across the moat, there is a stone bridge called Zhengyang Bridge, which is the largest one among the nine moat bridges in Beijing. Old Beijingers used to call it the "five archways at Qianmen". It is also an important landscape landmark on the Central Axis.
Address: Qianmen Dongdajie(St), Dongcheng District, Beijing
Transportation: Take subway Line 2 and get off at Qianmen Station.
Altar of the God of Agriculture
Altar of the God of Agriculture, also known as "Shanchuan Altar", was an important place for the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties to worship gods such as mountains and rivers and Shennong. It was also the earliest and only imperial garden established by the royal family in the south of the city.
All the building of the Altar of the God of Agriculture is surrounded by two walls, the inner and outer walls, and the plane is a rectangle with a circle in the north and a square in the south. The buildings in the temple can be divided into three groups, namely the Altar of the God of Agriculture, the Heaven and Earth Altar, and Taisui Hall.
In addition to the ancient architectural complex with royal style, there is also a museum located in the main hall, in which the exhibition about ancient architecture is also very professional.
Address: No.21 Dongjing Lu(Rd), Xicheng District, Beijing
Transportation: Take bus No. 17, 20, 36, 54 and get off at Xiannongtan Station.
Tian'anmen Square
Tian'anmen Square is one of the largest public squares in the world and was the main gate of the imperial city of Beijing during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Originally named "Chengtianmen," which means "to receive the heavens' mandate and fortune," it conveyed the idea of "receiving heavenly guidance and being divinely ordained."
In the eighth year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed "Tian'anmen," meaning "to receive the mandate of heaven and ensure peace and governance." The grand square, arranged in a clockwise direction, features Tian'anmen, the National Museum of China, Zhengyangmen, and the Great Hall of the People. In the center of the square stands the Monument to the People's Heroes, designed by Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin.
Address: North side of Tian'anmen Square, Dongcheng District
Transportation: Take Beijing Subway Line 1, or Bus No. 1, 5, 10, 20, 52 and get off at Tian'anmen East Station.
Imperial Ancestral Temple
On the east side of Tian'anmen Square is the Cultural Palace of Nationalities, which was formerly the Imperial Ancestral Temple during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This temple was used by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship their ancestors and covers an area of over 200 acres.
The ceiling and pillars of the main hall are plastered with red gold flowers, which are finely crafted and luxuriously decorated. On both sides of the main hall, there are fifteen supporting halls. The Imperial Ancestral Temple is renowned for its ancient cypress trees, many of which are several hundred years old. These trees are known for their diverse shapes and majestic, timeless appearance.
Address: Cultural Palace of Nationalities, Dongcheng District, Beijing.
Transportation: Take Beijing Subway Line 1, or Bus No. 1, 5, 10, 20, 52 and get off at Tian'anmen East Station.
The Forbidden City
Formerly known as the Forbidden City, the Imperial Palace is located in the center of Beijing's central axis. It was the imperial palace of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is an unrivaled masterpiece of ancient architecture, known as one of the world's five great palaces.
The Forbidden City is divided into two major parts, the "outer court" and the "inner court", with the Qianqing Gate as the boundary. The architectural atmosphere of the outer and inner courts is very different. The outer court, centered around the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, features grand and majestic buildings with spacious and open courtyards. The inner court, centered on the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, served as the residence for the emperor and his consorts.
Address: No. 4 Jingshan Qianjie(St), Dongcheng District, Beijing
Transportation: Take Beijing Subway line 1 or bus 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 99, 120, 126, sightseeing Line 1, Night 17, Night 1, Night 2, Special 2 and get off at Tian'anmen East Station.
Jingshan Park
Jingshan Park is located to the north of the Forbidden City, positioned along the central axis of Beijing from the Ming and Qing dynasties. With a history of over 800 years, it is a National 4A-level scenic area and one of the best-preserved palace gardens in China.
The pavilion on the central peak of Jingshan Park is called "Wanchun Pavilion," offering a panoramic view of Beijing. Additionally, the park hosts flower exhibitions in spring, summer, and autumn, showcasing vibrant and diverse floral displays.
Address: No.44, Jingshan Qianjie(St), Xicheng District, Beijing
Transportation: Take Beijing Subway Line 1 or Bus 1, 2, 52, 59, 82, 99, 120, 126, Sightseeing Line 1, Night 17, Night 1, Night 2, Special 2 and get off at Tian'anmen East Station.
Bell and Drum Tower
As the northernmost point of the old Beijing central axis, the Bell and Drum Towers have stood here for centuries. They served as the timekeeping centers for the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The current structures retain the architectural style from the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty.
The Bell and Drum Tower are positioned end-to-end, creating a majestic and imposing presence, and are among the iconic structures of ancient Beijing. Inside the Bell Tower is a massive bell weighing 63 tons, and it is said that its sound can be heard loudly from ten miles away when struck.
Address: Intersection of Waidajie(St) and Bell Tower Dajie(St), Dongcheng District, Beijing.
Transportation: Take Beijing Subway Line 5 and get off at Yonghegong Station, or take Beijing Subway Line 2 or Line 8 and get off at Gulou Dajie(St) Station.
