A draft regulation for preserving Beijing's cultural heritage along its central axis has been opened up for public comments via the city's Administration of Cultural Heritage website.

The draft outlines how preservation efforts should focus on protecting and displaying historical relics and traces of urban development under the city's symmetrical pattern while maintaining diversity, respecting unique features, urban function, and lifestyle of the city, says the draft.

Plans for both tangible and intangible heritage along the central axis are included.

According to the document, Beijing intends to introduce guidelines for the corridor's development, which will set strict standards for the height, scale, color, and types of roofs used along the central axis. The move aims to provide visitors an unobstructed view of the area and to make sure that the encompassing buildings are well-fitted.

The draft prohibits construction work that threatens to change the flow of nearby rivers or endangers the original river environment and embankment dams, and proposes the use of traditional methods and materials to renovate its water-related cultural heritage sites.

As well as defining how the preservation efforts will be carried out, it also puts forward a series of plans to rejuvenate the axis. For example, it proposes the building of a continuous pedestrian zone along the historical sites to facilitate green travel as well as more green spaces along the route. Beijing also encourages owners of non-state-owned, immovable cultural properties to open these sites to visitors and calls for reasonable use of these sites.

Relevant authorities are required to use big data and artificial intelligence to document historical and cultural information along the central axis. Educational activities in the field, which prioritize preservation efforts, are also welcomed.

Regarding the time-honored brands found along Beijing's central axis, authorities have been working to optimize business models, support businesses with distinctive traditional features in the area, and encourage the integration of these brands with the cultural innovation industry. 

Given that the preservation works are included in the city's economic and social development plan, government bodies in Beijing, such as those for cultural heritage, finance, tourism, water affairs, education, and urban planning, will play their part in its successful development accordingly.

In addition, Beijing will set up a group of experts and a special fund for the renovation and exhibition of nearby cultural heritage, as well as to promote cultural communication and exchange.

Finally, a series of prohibitions are also listed in the draft. These include relocating immovable cultural relics and historical buildings; changing the architectural style of buildings along the axis; building, expanding, or installing public statues and entertainment facilities, and; transplanting ancient trees or carrying out construction projects within a safe distance from these trees, to name a few.

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