Unlock Beijing Central Axis by These 5 Themed Routes!

Beijing Central Axis Intangible Cultural Heritage Creative Products Exhibit[Photo by Yang Junkang]

Recently, the Chinese Cultural Business Card: Intangible Cultural Heritage Journey Along Beijing Central Axis was released in Beijing. This book systematically documents 15 heritage sites along the Beijing Central Axis and surrounding intangible cultural heritage projects for the first time, mapping a cultural continuum from Yongdingmen Gate to the Bell and Drum Towers.
On the event day, the "Beijing Central Axis Intangible Cultural Heritage Journey" series was launched, featuring the release of five curated routes connecting representative heritage sites along the central axis. This initiative will run through late August 2025, inviting the public to explore the cultural fabric of the Central Axis through a "stamp collection + immersive experiences" model.

Route I: Southern City StoriesBeijing Cloisonné Factory -- Long Shun Cheng -- Yongdingmen Gate -- Temple of Heaven -- Xiannongtan (the Altar of the God of Agriculture) -- Tianqiao

• China Cloisonné Art Museum: Beijing cloisonné craftsmanship
• Long Shun Cheng Jingzuo Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage: Beijing-style hardwood furniture craftsmanship
• Yongdingmen Gate: Beijing kites
• Temple of Heaven Park: Divine Music Office -- Zhonghe Shaoyue & Chinese Diabolo art 
• Xiannongtan Park (Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum): Ancient architectural craftsmanship
• Tianqiao: Beijing crosstalk (Deyun Club) & Tianqiao vaudeville (Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center)

Route II: Heavenly Street & Thriving MarketQianmen Street-Dashilanr-Xianyukou

• Qianmen Street: Quanjude hanging oven roast duck & Bianyifang braised roast duck
• Dashilanr: Tongrentang TCM culture, Donglaishun instant-boiled mutton, Neiliansheng cloth shoes & Shengxifu leather hats
• Xianyukou: Tianxingju stewed liver

Route III: Imperial Craftsmanship Tian'anmen and Tian'anmen Square-Zhongshan Park-Palace Museum-Jingshan Park-Beihai Park

• Tian'anmen and Tian'anmen Square: Beijing palace lanterns, white marble carvings & Beijing architectural paintings
• Zhongshan Park (Altar of Land and Grain): orchid cultivation techniques
• The Palace Museum: Beijing palace rug weaving, glazed tile firing, Beijing jade carving & imperial architectural craftsmanship
• Jingshan Park: Baikui braised lamb craft  
• Beihai Park: Imperial Culinary Craftsmanship of the Qing Dynasty

Route IV: Living heritage soundscape Wanning Bridge-Shichahai-Nanluogu Alley -Bell & Drum Towers

• Wanning Bridge: Taoist ritual music (Fire God Temple)
• Shichahai: Old Beijing traditional ice games, Beijing roast meat craftsmanship (Kaorouji Restaurant) & snuff bottle interior painting (Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street)
• Nanluoguxiang: Beijing's quadrangles construction craftsmanship, Lord Rabbit figurines, dough figurines, and Beijing bristle figurines
• Bell and Drum Towers: the 24 solar terms, Beijing pigeon whistles, and old Beijing street peddlers' chants

Route V: Peking Opera Charm Trail Ji Xiaolan's Residence- Baishun Hutong-Hanjia Hutong-Zhengyi Temple-Guanghelou Theater-Tianleyuan Theater-Xicaoshi Street

• Ji Xiaolan's Residence to Tianleyuan Theater: Peking Opera
• Tianleyuan Theater: Painted sculpted Peking Opera masks
• Xicaoshi Street: Beijing opera costume craftsmanship (Beijing Opera Costume Factory), opera headgear making skills & Beijing-style embroidery

(Source: Official WeChat account of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism)
Source: BeijingService