Beijing Central Axis Intangible Cultural Heritage Creative Products Exhibit

Photo by Yang Junkang

Recently, the Chinese Cultural Business Card: Intangible Cultural Heritage Journey Along Beijing Central Axis was released in Beijing. This book systematically documents 15 heritage sites along the Beijing Central Axis and surrounding intangible cultural heritage projects for the first time, mapping a cultural continuum from Yongding Gate to the Bell and Drum Towers.

On the event day, the "Beijing Central Axis Intangible Cultural Heritage Journey" series was launched, featuring the release of five curated routes connecting representative heritage sites along the central axis. This initiative will run through late August 2025, inviting the public to explore the cultural fabric of the Central Axis through a "stamp collection + immersive experiences" model.

Highlights on Five Intangible Cultural Heritage Theme Routes 

Route I: Southern City Stories

Beijing Cloisonné Factory -- Long Shun Cheng -- Yongdingmen Gate -- Temple of Heaven --Xiannongtan (the Altar of the God of Agriculture)-- Tianqiao

China Cloisonné Art Museum: Beijing cloisonné craftsmanship 

Long Shun Cheng Jingzuo Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Beijing-style hardwood furniture craftsmanship

Yongdingmen Gate: Beijing kites

Temple of Heaven Park: Divine Music Office -- Zhonghe Shaoyue & Chinese Diabolo art 

Xiannongtan Park (Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum): Ancient architectural craftsmanship

Tianqiao: Beijing crosstalk (Deyun Club) & Tianqiao vaudeville (Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center)

Route II: Heavenly Street & Thriving Market

Qianmen Street-Dashilanr-Xianyukou

Qianmen Street: Quanjude hanging oven roast duck & Bianyifang braised roast duck

Dashilanr: Tongrentang TCM culture, Donglaishun instant-boiled mutton, Neiliansheng cloth shoes & Shengxifu leather hats

Xianyukou: Tianxingju stewed liver

Route III: Imperial Craftsmanship 

Tian'anmen and Tian'anmen Square-Zhongshan Park-Palace Museum-Jingshan Park-Beihai Park 

Tian'anmen and Tian'anmen Square: Beijing palace lanterns, white marble carvings & Beijing architectural paintings

Zhongshan Park (Altar of Land and Grain): orchid cultivation techniques

The Palace Museum: Beijing palace rug weaving, glazed tile firing, Beijing jade carving & imperial architectural craftsmanship 

Jingshan Park: Baikui braised lamb craft  

Beihai Park: Imperial Culinary Craftsmanship of the Qing Dynasty

Route IV: Living heritage soundscape 

Wanning Bridge-Shichahai-Nanluoguxiang -Bell & Drum Towers

Wanning Bridge: Taoist ritual music (Fire God Temple)

Shichahai: Old Beijing traditional ice games, Beijing roast meat craftsmanship (Kaorouji Restaurant) & snuff bottle interior painting (Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street)

Nanluoguxiang: Beijing's quadrangles construction craftsmanship, Lord Rabbit figurines, dough figurines, and Beijing bristle figurines

Bell and Drum Towers: the 24 solar terms, Beijing pigeon whistles, and old Beijing street peddlers' chants

Route V: Peking Opera Charm Trail 

Ji Xiaolan's Residence- Baishun Hutong-Hanjia Hutong-Zhengyi Temple-Guanghelou Theater-Tianleyuan Theater-Xicaoshi Street

Ji Xiaolan's Residence to Tianleyuan Theater: Peking Opera

Tianleyuan Theater: Painted sculpted Peking Opera masks

Xicaoshi Street: Beijing opera costume craftsmanship (Beijing Opera Costume Factory), opera headgear making skills & Beijing-style embroidery

(Source: Official WeChat account of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)