This summer, several rooftop terraces along Beijing's Central Axis and its surrounding areas have opened to the public. 

Customers are dining on the rooftop terrace of GUI TEMPLE (a restaurant), with the Bell Tower in close view.

[Photo via GUI TEMPLE]

Heading north along the Central Axis, just 200 meters from the Bell Tower, GUI TEMPLE's rooftop terrace atop the west annex hall of Hong'en Temple offers a view nearly level with the eaves. Looking back, the majestic Bell Tower looms close at hand. 

Further along the Central Axis, in Xiaojiang Hutong, a serene rooftop tea house of a renovated century-old building stands quietly. Customers here can make tea cakes (despite the name, these "cakes" are actually compressed tea leaves with a round shape) and perform "diancha" (a method of preparing and drinking tea). The tea house also offers a great view of rows of eaves of traditional courtyard houses around.

Guantan Art Space on the top floor of Hongqiao Market has become a popular spot for viewing the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (Qiniandian) bathed in sunset glow.

[Photo by Deng Wei]

Further south, near the east gate of the Temple of Heaven Park, the rooftop terrace of Hongqiao Market — a traditional commercial landmark — is now a trendy spot for viewing the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests bathed in sunset glow. This terrace has already been an ideal choice for capturing the distant view of the Temple of Heaven.

Along both sides of the Central Axis, more open terraces are emerging. For example, at the terrace located at 33 Gulou West Street, people can sip coffee and enjoy Western dishes while marveling at a panoramic view of the Bell and Drum Towers. At 20 Zhaofu Street, the rooftop of JINTAI 5Lmeet (a cultural park dedicated to theatrical works) offers another vantage point for viewing the two towers, where sketch comedies, script readings, and other performances often take place. On the rooftop of Longfu Building, international fashion shows and cultural salons are held from time to time, with a panoramic view encompassing Jingshan Hill, Beihai Park, and Guomao CBD. These all enable you to feel the city's charm blending traditional ambiance and contemporary hues.

Under drifting clouds, these terraces offer breathtaking vistas. Many businesses have taken the lead in innovating their services. GUI TEMPLE offers "City Ridge Afternoon Tea" (城脊下午茶) by day and a "Starlight Bistro" (星空餐吧) after dusk. Yao Café near Miaoying Temple (also nicknamed the "White Pagoda Temple") serves White Pagoda-themed desserts, and taking photos of people holding pastries against the pagoda has become a must-do.

At the rooftop of the Purple Horse Hotel, fitness enthusiasts can practice yoga when they are bathed in the sunset glow, and customers swinging tennis rackets can often be spotted on the fifth-floor terrace of the Capital Hotel, while clouds sweep past the Olympic Tower, Drum Tower, and Wanchun Pavilion atop Jingshan Hill...

When the Milky Way emerges, one by one, the rooftops along the Central Axis are glowing to life. As Beijing tells the world the story of its "Axis of Ideal Order", these terraces bridging history and reality are turning into the most vibrant narrative spaces.

(Source: Beijing Fabu)