Recently, with the completion of the southern central axis imperial road, many citizens have come to experience the charm of the historic central axis. Walking on the newly laid stone "imperial road", one can truly sense the fascinating blend of history and the present: from the Tianqiao area to the south, the distant Yongding Gate is visible if not obscured by trees; looking north from Tianqiao, the ancient Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower stands out amidst modern buildings, quietly narrating past stories as if time has turned back several centuries.
With the completion of the southern central axis imperial road, let's explore the ancient and modern architecture along this route.
When it comes to the starting point of the southern central axis, people commonly refer to Yongding Gate, and that's not incorrect. However, there is another building that, although located outside Yongding Gate, was considered part of it during the Qing Dynasty. This building is Yan Pier. In old Beijing dialect, Yan Pier is referred to as "dang". During the Qing Dynasty, there was a saying, "there are seventy-two military camps and one one "dang" outside Yongding Gate," and this "dang" refers to Yan Pier, which was a crucial checkpoint for entering Yongding Gate.
Yan Pier was originally a simple earthen platform when it was first built during the Yuan Dynasty. It wasn't until the 32nd year of the Jiajing reign in the Ming Dynasty (1553) that it was encased in brick. On top of Yan pier is a stone stele with a roof, inscribed with the "Imperial Capital" and "Emperor Capital" texts written by Emperor Qianlong in the 18th year of his reign. These inscriptions praise Beijing as a deserving capital city.
North of Yan Pier, the most significant building is Yongding Gate. Located at the southern end of Beijing Central Axis, Yongding Gate was the largest gate in the outer city of old Beijing. It was not only a key entry point from the south but also a vital location for royal hunts. Many are familiar with its long history, so let's focus on the story of its reconstruction. During the rebuilding, the gate was adorned with a stone plaque inscribed with "Yongding Gate", in a robust style, replicating the original Ming Dynasty stone plaque. Interestingly, a year before the reconstruction, experts discovered a well-preserved Yongding Gate stone plaque beneath an ancient cypress tree in front of the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum at Altar of the God Of Agriculture. This plaque, dating from the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, provided a historical authenticity and depth to the reconstructed Yongding Gate.
There is also an interesting coincidence regarding the bricks used in the reconstruction of the gate tower: When Yongding Gate was originally dismantled, the bricks were repurposed for constructing the surrounding walls of the Santaishan hazardous materials warehouse. Half a century later, these old bricks were dramatically returned and used once again to rebuild the walls of Yongding Gate.
Standing on the city tower and gazing north, just like centuries ago, the Qianmen Tower stands prominently before us. The "Imperial Path" extends from Yongding Gate all the way to the southern Tianqiao Nandajie(St), directly pointing to Qianmen. Unlike centuries ago, Yongding Gate is now more splendid. On the northeast side of Yongding Gate, there is a massive piece of Kunlun jade, the largest raw Kunlun jade in China. This jade stone was transported to Beijing after a four-day journey from the Kunlun Mountains, which are over 4,300 meters above sea level, to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It stands quietly here, embodying the meanings of "harmony, peace, and concord".
Today, Yongding Gate Park is shaped like a boat. The entire park is constructed along this ancient "Imperial Path", extending from Nanwei Lu(Rd) in the north to the east and west boundaries, which reach the Temple of Heaven and the Xiannong Altar, respectively.
Historically, the Yongding Gate Tower was not a solitary building but a complex consisting of several structures, including arrow towers, defensive tower, city walls, a moat, and other components. The streets on either side of Yongding Gate within the city were originally alleys. Therefore, while constructing Yongding Gate Park, significant buildings from that era, such as the Yousheng Temple and the Guanyin Temple, were also reconstructed on their original sites.
Guanyin Temple is located on the west side of Yongding Gate Park. There is little historical record about this temple. According to the Historical Data of Beijing Temples, the temple was built in the 21st year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. However, a local resident who lived nearby during childhood wrote that, during the reconstruction of Yongding Gate, they saw a stone tablet in front of a large hall in Guanyin Temple, which recorded that the temple was renovated in the 10th year of the Xianfeng reign (1860). The tablet did not mention the original construction date, but it is certain that it dates back further. Today, with the reconstruction of Yongding Gate, Guanyin Temple has also been preserved and renovated.
Not far to the north of Guanyin Temple is Yousheng Temple. The temple has been relocated and rebuilt on the west side of the square, moving several hundred meters north from its original site. The rebuilt complex includes the main hall, the north and south halls of the second courtyard, oil-painted decorations, and the courtyard walls. According to the Historical Data of Beijing Temples, Yousheng Temple was originally located at No. 11 Yongding Gate Neidajie(St) and was established in the 32nd year of the Ming Dynasty's Wanli reign (1604). The temple contains an inscription written by Li Dai, an official of the Ministry of Personnel. Today, Yousheng Temple serves as the residence of the October Literature Academy and is considered a "holy place" by many literature enthusiasts.
In fact, there was another temple near Yongding Gate, known as Yongshou Temple, or Yongshou An. It was originally located outside the east wall of the Altar of the God Of Agriculture. This temple has long since disappeared from history, leaving only its name behind.
Beyond the "menlian" [the old Beijing term for Yongdingmen Neidajie(St)], the area leading to Tianqiao opens up considerably. The most notable structure here is Tianqiao itself. This area was once a cultural hub for the common people of Beijing, rich in cultural heritage. Historically, Tianqiao was marked by two features: the stone bridge, which is Tianqiao, and the open channel, known as Longxugou(Dragon Beard Ditch).
According to historical records, the Tianqiao is a single-arch bridge with four railings on the bridge deck. The railings and the bridge body are made of white marble, while the sides of the bridge deck are paved with granite and the middle is paved with bluestone. The arch of the Tianqiao is quite large, obscuring the view. Zhang Cixi wrote in The People's Tianqiao in Beijing: "From the southern end of the bridge looking north, the Zhengyangmen is not visible. Similarly, from the northern end of the bridge looking south, the Yongding Gate is also not visible." Today, the Tianqiao has been reconstructed not far from its original site.
The Tianqiao Civic Square today features eight bronze statues of Tianqiao artists and a reconstructed "four-faced clock." Historically, the "four-faced clock" was located in the area around the Friendship Hospital on Yong'an Lu(Rd) and served as a landmark of the amusement park in southern Beijing. Beneath the square lies the Tianqiao Impressions Museum, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the area.
Walking north from Tianqiao, you will reach Zhushikou. On the east side of Zhushikou, there is a hutong called Xicaoshi Jie(St), which once had a distinctive market known as "costume street". During the Qing Dynasty, it was prohibited to establish theaters within the city walls, and most of Beijing's theaters were located outside Qianmen, so the sale of costumes was concentrated in the Zhushikou area. To the east of the north entrance of Xicaoshi Jie(St) is Xibanbi Jie(St). At No. 13 on Xibanbi Jie(St) is the location of the YuanShun Escort Agency, where the famous "Dadaowangwu" made his name. West of Qianmen DaJie(St) is PuChenshi Hutong, which once housed a guanyin temple. Today, the mountain gate of the temple is well-preserved, with the inscription "Zen Temple of Guanyin" above the gate. Exiting the north end of PuChenshi Hutong, you will find the Zhushikou Church, which was established in 1904 and is the only Gothic-style church in the southern Beijing.
After passing the Zhushikou Church and heading north, you will reach the current Qianmen pedestrian street. There is no need to elaborate on the Qianmen area; since the Ming Dynasty expanded the Outer City, this place has become one of the most valuable and bustling areas in Beijing, with a continuous flow of people and merchants for centuries. After walking through the pedestrian street, you will arrive at the base of Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower, where a complete imperial road comes into view. This central axis line is like a vivid historical document, witnessing the historical changes of Beijing over the centuries.
