Spotlight shines on Beijing's Central Axis

Ancient wisdom

The Zhongshan Park exhibition only attracted modest attendance over the past three months, with visitors paying little attention to the elegantly arranged displays of cultural sites from different historical periods.

Models of the Central Axis running south to north and of the cultural heritage sites on both sides of it were positioned in the main area of the exhibition.

The black-and-white photos, which were displayed on a side wall of the 110-square-meter exhibition space, were aesthetically pleasing under the spotlights.

Guo Qinghong, 46, a teacher at the Western Academy of Beijing in Chaoyang district, visited the exhibition last month and said the model of architecture along the Central Axis inspired her. She plans to create such a model at her school for students to learn more about the history of the axis and the cultural heritage situated along it.

"In this bustling capital city, ancient traditions are often overshadowed by modern structures in the latest architectural designs. However, the wisdom of ancient people also deserves to be treasured. Getting students to learn about the history of the Central Axis and its related heritage is one way of renewing interest in historical sites," Guo added.

Gai, the research center director, said the exhibition at Zhongshan Park gave visitors an insight into the planning and construction of the ancient city of Beijing.

"This unique exhibition also offered a rare opportunity for Beijing citizens to truly experience the historical essence of the city and the surrounding environment along the Central Axis," he said.