North of the Bell and Drum Towers and south of the Yongdingmen Gate, the Beijing Central Axis is centred around the Forbidden City, connecting key buildings such as the Tian’anmen Gate and the Imperial Ancestral Temple. As the longest urban axis in the world, it has witnessed significant developments in Chinese culture and history. In 2024, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognised the “Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital”, and it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This documentary features interviews with both Chinese and foreign residents along the Beijing Central Axis, including architects, sound artists, gourmets, traditional craftsman, academics studying the area, and more. Through diverse perspectives on architecture, food culture, intangible cultural heritage, and cultural exchange, the documentary unfolds their life stories. This approach leads the audience to insight into their daily lives, allowing for a deeper exploration of China’s cultural heritage and transformations.
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