Core route taken to showcase Beijing's history
China DailyThe central axis stretches for 7.8 kilometers through the Chinese capital. Capital has much to gain if central axis is granted World Heritage status When deciding on popular spots to visit in Beijing for a taste of the city's history and culture, the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Qianmen area are among those that usually spring to mind. All these venues are located along the Chinese capital's central axis, for which the municipal government is now seeking UNESCO World Heritage status. With a history of more than 750 years, Beijing's central axis stretches 7.8 kilometers from the Bell Tower and Drum Tower in the north to Yongdingmen in the south. Seven years later, overall planning guidance for Beijing was published, which included the application for World Heritage status for the axis as a strategy for the capital.