BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- With China's annual "two sessions" just around the corner, global attention once again turns to Beijing. A city defined by over 3,000 years of history and 870 years as China's capital, Beijing remains a repository of Chinese cultural heritage. At its heart lies the Central Axis, a 7.8-kilometer meridian stretching from the Drum and Bell Towers in the north to the Yongdingmen Gate in the south. In this illustrated journey, explore China's cultural DNA mirrored along the Beijing Central Axis and the urban evolution of the capital city.

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Edited by

Hu Jingwen, Li Mangmang, Sui Shangjun

Visual design by

Li Mangmang, Qi Zhiyue

*Illustrations created with the assistance of AI

Photo credit

Ju Huanzong, Zhang Chenlin, Chen Yehua, Chen Zhonghao, Li He

CHINA SIGNATURE STUDIO