states: [china]
category: cultural
year: 2024
region: Asia and the Pacific
latitude/longitude: 39.9072222222, 116.3913888889
last visited: 2024
unesco id: 1714
world heritage site: 1714
The Beijing Central Axis, a UNESCO World Heritage site in China, is a historic urban planning marvel stretching through the heart of the city. This centuries-old north-south axis aligns key architectural landmarks, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven, symbolizing imperial power and cosmological harmony. Designated in 2024, it reflects traditional Chinese principles of symmetry and balance, serving as a cultural and historical spine that has shaped Beijing’s development for over 700 years.