Central Axis builds on its reputation

World Heritage Site boosts protection and promotion through frontier technology and community engagement

A one-year report on the inclusion of the Beijing Central Axis on the UNESCO World Heritage List was recently released during a side event titled "Digital Technologies for Sustainable Development of World Heritage Sites" at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris.

The Central Axis, running north to south through the center of historical Beijing, was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in July 2024. The 7.8-kilometer-long line represents Beijing's cultural identity and China's urban planning traditions, encompassing former imperial palaces and gardens, sacrificial structures, and ceremonial and public buildings.

Mei Song, secretary-general of the Beijing Central Axis Protection Foundation, said during the event that Beijing has made significant progress in preserving and promoting the site over the past year. Efforts have been made in public education, community engagement, public access to heritage and the development of cultural and creative products. Initiatives included offering related courses in schools and organizing the annual Competition for the Transmission and Promotion of Beijing Central Axis.

In 2024, restoration work on the Altar of Land and Grain and the Imperial Ancestral Temple was completed, while the surroundings of the Bell and Drum Towers were renovated.

In May, the Beijing People's Congress passed the Regulations on the Conservation of the Beijing Central Axis World Heritage Site. By the end of this year, Beijing plans to implement a three-year action plan for the protection and inheritance of the Central Axis, aiming to enhance the interpretation and dissemination of its cultural legacy and establish a national heritage protection and utilization demonstration zone.

Technological empowerment

In an era where technology and heritage conservation intersect, Beijing has adopted innovative methods to safeguard the Central Axis and its cultural heritage.

Originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zhengyang Gate, or Qianmen, is an important heritage site along the Central Axis. Following renovation and stringent safety assessments, Zhengyang Gate's Archery Tower reopened to the public at the end of 2024. According to a report from Beijing Daily, the daily quota of 1,200 visitors is quickly filled during the summer, which reflects strong public interest in heritage sites.

Chen Liang, head of heritage conservation at the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Conservation Center, detailed the measures taken to preserve the intricate architectural elements. "For severely damaged architectural components, we performed comprehensive laser scans to create three-dimensional models and then made molds to restore window cornices and railings. Every renovated part utilized original materials, designs and techniques," Chen said to Beijing Daily.

The Archery Tower of Zhengyang Gate is equipped with monitoring devices that utilize remote sensing satellites and other technologies to monitor potential subsidence, displacement or vibration of the ancient buildings, as well as the microenvironment surrounding them.

Central Axis-themed tourist experiences have been enriched by interactive digital technologies. For example, the Drum Tower now offers a virtual reality experience called "Night at the Central Axis", which recreates scenes of architect Liu Bingzhong designing the axis. Visitors can embark on a virtual journey tracing the origins of the axis, led by the mythical rooftop creature Little Dragon, and gain insights into the traditional Chinese architectural philosophy behind the design.

Interactive touchscreen technology has been employed to digitalize a copper clepsydra, a water-powered timing instrument once used in the Bell and Drum Towers. Visitors can explore its intricate structure with a simple tap on the screen.

"It was difficult to understand the principles by just looking at physical models before, but now the animation demonstration makes it clear, and children are especially intrigued," said a parent to The Beijing News.

The Digital Central Axis-Microcosm, a WeChat mini-program developed by Chinese tech giant Tencent, offers users an immersive online experience of the Central Axis by combining digital and gaming technologies.

Public involvement

Heritage protection is not just about sealing off monuments; it is also about integrating them into people's daily lives and fostering harmony between heritage and the community.

In 2024, the Divine Granary and the Qingcheng Palace at the Altar of the God of Agriculture were opened to the public. An area east of Zhengyang Gate, part of an ancient city wall, has been made accessible to the public for free, providing a green, shaded space where residents can exercise and relax.

Since January, the archaeological site at Zhengyang Bridge, located at the foot of the Archery Tower, has been open to the public free of charge. Inside, visitors can observe archaeological discoveries such as a stone statue of a mythical water-harnessing beast.

Meanwhile, Beijing has launched various Central Axis-themed activities designed for different age groups. Children from across the country can participate in study tours to appreciate the ancient buildings along the axis and learn about the cultural traditions associated with them.

"When the Archery Tower first opened last year, the daily limit was 800 tickets. Now it has increased to 1,200 tickets," Li Sihan, a guide with the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Conservation Center, told The Beijing News.

Recently, Beijing's Dongcheng district organized a series of Central Axis-themed study tours for retirees, attracting nearly 1,000 participants over the course of more than a month. The activities included learning traditional crafts and health management, allowing retirees to engage with cultural heritage in a relaxed manner.

In early July, the Beijing Publicity Department, Beijing Academy of Social Sciences and Dongcheng district's publicity department jointly hosted a public education event in Beijing. The event included lectures and traditional performances aimed at connecting residents with the history and protection of the Central Axis, as well as the stories behind its UNESCO World Heritage inscription. Attendees left with a renewed sense of pride and responsibility toward preserving their cultural legacy.

Zha Zhe, a local resident, said to The Beijing News: "Participating in this event felt like a cultural journey through time. It deepened my emotional connection with the Central Axis. As a resident here, I feel a great sense of pride and also recognize my responsibility to preserve and pass on this cultural legacy."

The Beijing Central Axis Heritage Conservation Center recently launched a project to encourage public participation in heritage preservation. It involves heritage patrols, cultural map creation, photography and video production, aiming to recruit at least 1,000 volunteers.

Volunteers in the patrol group will conduct regular checks of the built heritage and ancient trees along the Central Axis, document any issues or seasonal changes, and upload their findings to a monitoring platform. The cultural map project involves volunteers producing short documentaries and a cultural map based on the cultural resources related to the axis. Participants can also take part in photography courses to learn how to capture the beauty of ancient architecture and submit their works to a photography competition.

Interested individuals can apply to join these activities via the official WeChat account of the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Conservation Center until Sept 30. These projects will run through November, with the center providing the training.

The integration of technology and community engagement exemplifies Beijing's holistic approach to heritage preservation, underlining the city's determination to protect and celebrate its rich cultural legacy for future generations.

huyuyan@chinadaily.com.cn