The Past and Present Central Axis

The Central Axis runs for 7.8 kilometers, from the Drum and Bell Towers in the north to Yongdingmen in the south, passing Wanning Bridge, Jingshan Park, and the Palace Museum. Running through the old city of Beijing, the Central Axis first started taking form during the Yuan Dynasty, but took more than 700 years to complete, witnessing the rise and fall of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and continuing to develop through modern and contemporary China. The buildings along the Central Axis are strictly symmetrical and the landscape reflects the order of the city. The Central Axis is an epitome of traditional city design that the central position is the emphasis, indicating the purpose of constructing social order and standardizing social life through the city layout. It is also the grandest and best-preserved city central axis existing in China, and a model for the development of a mature Chinese capital.

Beginning of the Construction

Dadu of the Yuan Dynasty
The Central Axis, first built at Dadu of the Yuan Dynasty, started from the Central Platform in the north and ended at Lizhengmen in the south, laying a foundation for the development of the city over the coming generations. The Central Axis of Dadu just ran through the southern part rather than stretching through the whole city. The unique and magnificent layout of Beijing owes its thanks to the Central Axis.
Overall Layout

Early Ming Dynasty
The Central Axis was extended in the early Ming Dynasty, all the way north to the Bell Tower, which was built in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. It was also extended to the south, moving to the new Lizhengmen (now known as Zhengyangmen). During this period, many other important landmarks were established along the axis, including the Forbidden City, Wansuishan (now known as Jingshan Hill), the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Altar of Earth and Harvests, the Temple of Heaven, and the Temple of Agriculture. The outer city was built during the Jiajing period in the middle and late Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the Temple of Agriculture and Temple of Heaven were included in the inner city. The Central Axis was further extended to Yongdingmen, reaching 7.8 kilometers. This is the overall layout of the Central Axis as we see it today.
Partial Adjustments and Completion

During the Qing Dynasty
The most obvious change was made during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, when the Shouhuang Palace was moved from the northeast corner to the north of Jingshan Park, right on the Central Axis. Five more pavilions were also built in Jingshan Park, becoming the highest points of the Central Axis.
Open to the Public

Opening of the Imperial Divine Temple in 1914
In 1914, the Imperial Divine Temple was open to the public as a part of Zhongshan Park, marking the start of the Central Axis' transformation of opening up to the public. The largest of all changes was, of course, the expansion of Tian'anmen Square with a design following the concept of the Central Axis. Later, other buildings, including the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the Museum of Chinese Revolution, the National Museum of Chinese History (now the National Museum of China), and Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.
World Cultural Heritage

Applying for UNESCO World Heritage Status
With rising awareness of cultural heritage protection and better understanding of the value of the Central Axis, cultural heritage protection and historic site improvement and reconstruction have been carried out in Beijing. In 2011, Beijing launched the UNESCO World Heritage application for the Central Axis. In 2013, the Central Axis of Beijing was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. The year 2022 marks a key point in time as all documents will be submitted officially for the listing of the Central Axis as a UNESCO World Heritage.