Beijing Central Axis reopens watchtower as Hong Kong students praise ancient design
Beijing's Central Axis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, fully opened its southern gate complex in July 2025. Hong Kong students praised the "perfect" defensive design. A Beijing architecture scholar said the Axis shows rich cultural value and recommends visitors explore from the Forbidden City southwa
Beijing's Central Axis, a 7.8-kilometre UNESCO World Heritage site comprising ancient imperial palaces, ritual buildings and thoroughfares through the old city, has fully opened its southern gate complex to the public. The watchtower of Zhengyangmen, the ancient capital's national gate, reopened in July 2025, joining the earlier-opened arrow tower to give visitors complete access to the structure, attracting many tourists who book in advance.
Hong Kong students who visited praised the ancient builders' ingenuity, calling the arrow tower's design "perfect" for its ability to see long distances for defence purposes, according to RTHK.
Zhang Man, executive dean of the Architectural Heritage Research Institute at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, said the Central Axis encompasses many urban functional zones and shows high inclusiveness. It presents diverse vitality and rich cultural values, helping later generations understand ritual culture and gain a micro-level appreciation of different buildings' historical functions, she said. The Axis also allows study of ancient capital construction through urban layout and form.
Zhang described the Central Axis as the best brand for telling China's story. She suggested visitors start from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen in the north to learn about Beijing's capital construction history, then head south to see hutongs and courtyard houses, experiencing everyday life scenes to feel the nation's heritage at different levels.