[Concurrent] Lu Zhou, Director of National Heritage Center, Tsinghua University
Mr. Liang Sicheng wrote an article about Beijing in 1951. He specifically mentioned the central axis. The central axis is a sequence of spaces with a sense of rhythm and rhythm. He said that such a magnificent space in the world is Unique.
【Explanation】From the Bell and Drum Tower in the north to Yongdingmen in the south.
The central axis of Beijing is 7.8 kilometers long and runs through the center of Beijing city, forming a symmetrical pattern.
From the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, to the Ming and Qing dynasties, and to the founding of New China, in more than 750 years of history, Beijing's development and construction have never left this axis.
[Explanation] A few days ago, Lu Zhou, director of the National Heritage Center of Tsinghua University and head of the Beijing Central Axis World Cultural Heritage Application Team, accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency and told reporters about the "past and present" of Beijing Central Axis.
[Concurrent] Lu Zhou, Director of National Heritage Center, Tsinghua University
If we talk about a few important nodes, one is that the central platform was built during the Yuan Dynasty, and the central axis of the Yuan Dynasty was completed.
After the reconstruction in the Ming Dynasty, it continued the characteristics of the central axis and became an axis connecting the north to the south of a city. In the Ming Dynasty, the outer city was added to Jiajing and the Yongding Gate was built. This 7.8-kilometer central axis of Beijing was formed. It was strengthened in the Qing Dynasty.
In the first half of the 20th century, after the renovation of the entire Tiananmen Square was completed, the central axis formed the scale and appearance we see today.
Such a clear method of urban planning is rare in the world.
[Explanation] Along the central axis, the cultural context of a city slowly unfolds, and most of Beijing's iconic ancient buildings dominate here.
Lu Zhou said that the central axis of Beijing represents the highest level of architecture in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but its value does not stop there.
[Concurrent] Lu Zhou, Director of National Heritage Center, Tsinghua University
It reflects a traditional Chinese concept, and it should be a material carrier of the traditional spirit. This is its true core value.
From Yongdingmen is the gate of the outer city, Zhengyangmen is the gate of the inner city, and Tiananmen and the disappeared Di’anmen are the gates of the imperial city.
The Meridian Gate and the Shenwu Gate are the gates of the Miyagi City. Such a city pattern, such a district city management, plus the bell and drum tower in the morning and evening.
The market opens in the morning and closes in the evening.
It reflects the history of China, and at the same time, it is also an important historical relic of a traditional Chinese urban management system that has disappeared.
[Explanation] 2021 is the tenth year that the Beijing Central Axis will start its application for heritage.
Lu Zhou said that it is currently in the sprint stage.
In the current protection and inheritance of Beijing's central axis, it is particularly important to reproduce the ideal order of space in China's capital city to the greatest extent through various efforts, and to show China's ancient and modern capitals.
[Concurrent] Lu Zhou, Director of National Heritage Center, Tsinghua University
Because it is now a residential area and a commercial area, it will have a lot of things added later.
Some additions may have caused environmental chaos, so the remediation is hoping to reproduce the strict order of the central axis.
I also hope that in the future, the central axis can be (re)opened up, and (to let people) experience its layered (rich) spatial changes.
What is the style of the capital?
The central axis of Beijing is the capital's style.
[Explanation] According to the main work points released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics recently, the Zhengyang Gate Arrow Tower, Bell Tower and other cultural relics protection projects will be implemented.
Lu Zhou said that repairing and protecting the central axis building is a long-term and continuous work.
In the process of remediation, it is necessary to be able to fully present the development context of the central axis, not a specific dynasty.
[Concurrent] Lu Zhou, Director of National Heritage Center, Tsinghua University
In the process of remediation of the central axis, it is necessary to bring out the valuable things again.
In fact, when discussing value, we are talking about the value that has been continuously superimposed in the course of historical development.
How to express the history of change through the central axis, to present its continuously overlapping history, and the overall value formed after the overlapping, I think is the core.
[Explanation] On the central axis of Beijing, you can not only understand history, but also see the future.
Lu Zhou said that the development of the central axis has never stopped.
On the basis of protection, how to continue and innovate this context requires the whole society to explore together.
[Concurrent] Lu Zhou, Director of National Heritage Center, Tsinghua University
The new pattern of Beijing is developed on the basis of the traditional central axis.
So it not only affects our protection of the old city, but also affects the future development of our city.
The participation of the society is a particularly important thing. The real protection work is the result of the joint efforts of the whole society.
The support of citizens and the participation of social organizations are the true meaning of protection.
Reporter Wang Shibo Song Zhe reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]