Beijing relocates temple school to preserve Central Axis

BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Following a ceremony to mark the relocation of a school inside its walls on Monday, Xiannongtan Temple -- one of the key cultural sites along Beijing's Central Axis -- has officially reconnected its inner and outer areas, in an important step in restoring its historical layout.

Located in the southwest of downtown Beijing, Xiannongtan Temple is China's largest existing ancient royal architectural complex dedicated to the worship of the god of agriculture. It depicts the traditional agriculture and ritual traditions of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Since the Beijing Central Axis was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2024, the city has devised outlines and made efforts for the preservation of the once disproportionately occupied temple, according to Zhang Lixin, director of the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau.

"Beijing will continue to restore the temple's historical layout, expand its open areas, and make more public spaces accessible," Zhang said.

The school's relocation means visitors no longer need to take a detour when they visit the temple's inner and altar areas. The new school campus was initially put into use in September.

Beijing has a history of over 3,000 years and has served as the Chinese capital for 870 years, making it a treasure trove of cultural heritage.

Stretching 7.8 kilometers from Yongding Gate in the south to the Drum and Bell Towers in the north, the Beijing Central Axis was constructed based on ancient architectural philosophies to create an ideal layout for a capital city. The Central Axis can be traced back to the early Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and its length was extended in the Ming and Qing dynasties. ■