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Plan your Beijing tour? Maybe you are now looking for top attractions for your short trip to Beijing. Surely, you will visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Great Wall and the list could be much longer if you are going to stay in Beijing for a longer period.
Now I just please remind you that the Central Axis of Beijing is worth your exploring for a few hours’ walking if you have strong legs.
Now the Central Axis of Beijing is on the tentative list for UNESCO cultural heritage, which was submitted in Sept 01, 2013 by National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO .
The Central Axis of Beijing is 7.8km long from Yongdingmen Gate in the south and Bell Tower in the north, passing through Qianmen Gates, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Hill Park, Dianmen Gate ( non-extent ), Drum Tower and Bell Tower.
This central axis is also flanked by many most important pieces of architecture in the city such as Temple of Heaven, The Temple of Agricultural God, Imperial Ancestral Temple and Altar of the Land and Grain.
Beijing central “axis”, which is interpreted as a royal line. The emperors in ancient China believed that they were the center of the world, so all of their palaces should be built on the axis or along the center from south to north of Beijing.
As the core of old Beijing city, the Central Axis of Beijing also show us the ingenious urban planning in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as China today.
The Central Axis of Beijing was first laid out in 1403 in Ming Dynasty that can be traced even further back to the Mongol that Beijing was served as the capital Dadu. Today the Central Axis is still intact though some original buildings and gates are non-existent.
Last week, I had a 3-hour walking tour of the Central Axis of Beijing from Yongdingmen Gate to Bell Tower. Below are some of the pictures I took on my walk tour.
Yongdingmen Gate Tower
The Imperial Path north of Yongdingmen Gate Tower
The Imperial Path north of Yongdingmen Gate Tower
Immaculate Conception Cathedral (South Church), Beijing along the Central Axis of Beijing
Immaculate Conception Cathedral (South Church), Beijing along the Central Axis of Beijing
Qianmen Street
Qianmen Street
Zhengyangmen Gate ( Arrow Tower )
Zhengyangmen Gate ( Arrow Tower )
Zhengyang Gate
Tiananmen Gate south of Forbidden City
Nanchizi, the sideway east of Tiananmen Tower
The Turret of Forbidden city and the moat
The Turret of Forbidden city and the moat
The north entrance to Forbidden City on the central axis of Beijing
The north entrance to Forbidden City on the central axis of Beijing
The Drum Tower along the central axis of Beijing
The Drum Tower along the central axis of Beijing
Bell Tower, the northern end of the Central Axis of Beijing
Tip: Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Beijing:
Beijing by Night Illuminations Tour from US$33 p/p
Beijing Hutong Highlight One Day Tour from US$59 p/p
Beijing Highlight Day Tour from US$59 P/P
(Tiananmen + Forbidden City + Mutianyu Great Wall)
Beijing Classic City Tour from US$65 P/P
(Tiananmen + Forbidden City + Temple of Heaven + Summer Palace)
Beijing Excursion Tour from US$59 P/P
(Mutianyu Great Wall + Ming Tomb)
Beijing Hutong Highlight Tour from US$59 P/P
( Hutong + Rickshaw)
Mutianyu Great Wall Half Day Tour from US$55 p/p
Hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour from US$69 p/p
Mutianyu Great Wall Layover Tour from US$65 p/p
Beijing Highlight Layover Tour from US$75 p/p
Further Readings
Top 10 Attractions in Beijing
How to Visit Forbidden City
How to Visit Temple of Heaven
How to Visit Summer Palace
How to Visit Ming Tombs
How to Visit the Great Wall of China
How to Visit Tiananmen Square
How to Visit Hutongs
How to Visit Olympic Sites
Top 10 Markets in Beijing
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Beijing
Beijing Shopping
Wangfujing Night Snack Street
Qianmen Commercial Street
Beijing Huguosi Street
Any questions, just drop a line.
