A Unique Testament to Enduring National Ceremonial Traditions

Throughout China's long history, ritual and ceremonial activities have held a crucial place in the fabric of social life. Beijing Central Axis exemplifies the emphasis placed on ceremonial order in traditional Chinese capital planning and construction. The Central Axis connects state ceremonial and ritual spaces with the various urban facilities needed by ordinary people in their daily lives, demonstrating the rich and diverse cultural traditions of Beijing's old city. The imperial palaces and gardens along Beijing Central Axis, as well as the sacrificial structures flanking both sides, were meticulously planned and constructed in accordance with the etiquette system.

The Forbidden City served not only as the residence and court of Ming and Qing emperors but also the venue for the highest level of rituals, such as the enthronement of the emperor, as well as the starting point for ritual activities outside the imperial palaces, creating a ritual space along the Central Axis that was connected by central thoroughfares and consisted of the imperial palaces, gardens, and sacrificial buildings.

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, ritual activities were closely tied to the four seasons and major state events. Ceremonies were governed by rigorous protocols that dictated every aspect, from procession routes to the orientation of ceremonies, the timing of procedural steps, and the roles of participants. The emperor typically presided over major ceremonial rites in person. Rituals commenced at the Hall of Supreme Harmony and proceeded southward through the Meridian Gate and along the central roads. After the PRC's founding, the Tiananmen Square Complex was turned into a public venue for national ceremonies, thus carrying forward the traditional role of the Central Axis in state ceremonial occasions.

Beijing Central Axis also featured urban management functions closely related to the daily lives of city residents. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Bell and Drum Towers governed the daily rhythms of urban life by marking time through the striking of the bell and drums. During these periods, Tiananmen Gate, Zhengyangmen Gate, and Yongdingmen Gate served as the main gates to the imperial, inner, and outer cities, respectively. These gates were vital nodes in the urban management system, opening and closing at prescribed times signaled by the sound of the bell and drums, thus regulating the daily routines and movements of residents.

Over time, the Bell and Drum Towers and the city gates along the Axis were gradually opened to the public, offering visitors vantage points to survey the meticulously ordered cityscape and skyline of the Central Axis.

Beijing Central Axis is the result of more than seven centuries of accumulation and refinement. It has absorbed the planning concepts and practical achievements of previous dynasties and carried forward the ancient tradition of regarding the central axis as the foundational line for city planning and design. At the same time, it has also integrated new elements and acquired new connotations in response to changes in Beijing's natural geography and socio-cultural environment. This evolution highlights both the remarkable continuity and creativity of Chinese civilization.

The Axis was preserved and developed over the course of three dynasties—the Yuan, Ming, and Qing—each established by a different ethnic group. It is a testament to the coexistence of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and various deist beliefs relating to agriculture, while also embodying the pursuit of peace, amity, and harmony. As such, it serves as a concentrated manifestation of Chinese civilization's remarkable unity, inclusiveness, and peaceful nature.

The inscription of Beijing Central Axis on the World Heritage List will help showcase both ancient and modern China to the world in a comprehensive and genuine way. It will help garner recognition around the world for China's progress in building a modern civilization and for the tremendous vitality of its fine traditional culture. It will also provide a boost to socialist cultural-ethical advancement in China as well as powerful inspiration for the drive to build a great country and advance national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

Editor: Zhang Xian