Snapshots of 2024

Timeless treasures

Maria Alejandra Calderon (Columbia) Beijing

I visited Beijing this summer with my peers from Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.

One morning, we rode along the Central Axis of Beijing. As we passed the majestic Bell and Drum Towers, the ancient Wanning Bridge, and the solemn Forbidden City, our teacher informed us that the axis had recently been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Temple of Heaven was one of my favorite places of the trip. What I found especially fascinating was how the temple's design reflects the ancient Chinese belief in the balance between heaven and earth — the round shape represents the sky, while the square base represents the earth. Standing there, learning about its significance, I felt like I was connecting to something much older and deeper than myself.