Beijing has made significant progress during the application for its Central Axis to be included in the list of world cultural heritage sites. The city has carried out extensive preservation work, restoring and reopening historic landmarks along the Central Axis such as the Temple of Heaven, Altar of the God of Agriculture, and Zhengyangmen Archery Tower. The Beijing Central Axis, which is inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list in 2024, is the best-preserved core area of the old city of Beijing. It extends 7.8 km from the Yongding Gate in the south to the Drum Tower and Bell Tower in the north. Most of the essential buildings in the old city of Beijing are constructed along the axis. (Photo: Li Hao/GT)