Brilliant Craftsmanship, Weaving Through History

The moonlit upturned eaves of the Forbidden City's corner towers and the caisson ceilings of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the Temple of Heaven showcase Beijing's beauty. Along the north-south Central Axis stretches a balanced series of urban spaces connecting old and new, displaying clever design harmony and deep cultural richness.

Step into the Forbidden City, and you'll find palaces, pavilions and terraces rising in layers, their detailed artwork showing the skill of ancient craftsmen. The sacred spaces of the Temple of Heaven, the Altar of Agriculture (Xiannong Altar), the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Altar of Land and Grain tell stories of imperial ceremony through their grand design. From the Bell and Drum Towers that once marked time to the impressive city gates, from busy old shopping areas to courtyard homes in narrow hutong alleys, this axis creates a rich mix of building styles. Together, these different structures form an impressive cityscape.