Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital World Heritage Site

Official name

Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital | UNESCO

Country

China | Map

Continent

Asia

Location

39.9072° Lat, 116.3913° Lon | Map

Code

1714

Time Zone

Asia/Shanghai (CST, +0800)

Current Time

Category

Cultural

Description

Inscribed 2024. Running north to south through the heart of historical Beijing, the Central Axis consists of former imperial palaces and gardens, sacrificial structures, and ceremonial and public buildings. Together they bear testimony to the evolution of the city and exhibits evidence of the imperial dynastic system and urban planning traditions of China. The location, layout, urban pattern, roads and design showcase the ideal capital city as prescribed in the Kaogongji, an ancient text known as the Book of Diverse Crafts. The area, between two parallel rivers, has been settled for about 3,000 years, but the Central Axis itself originated during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) that established its capital, Dadu, in the northern part. The property also features later historical structures built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and improved during the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912).