Central Axis sites get boosted preservation

Visitors wander through the Temple of Heaven architectural complex in Beijing, strolling beneath ancient cypresses and spotting cute squirrels darting between the trees.

During a quick rest, some sip coffee with an image of the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests machine-printed in the foam, or enjoy an ice cream treat shaped like the hall.

Built in 1420, the Temple of Heaven is where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) held ceremonies to offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvests. Its architecture and rituals embody the traditional Chinese philosophy of the unity of heaven and humanity.

In 2024, the "Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital" was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Over the past two years, the Temple of Heaven, one of the heritage sites along the Beijing Central Axis, has advanced multifaceted preservation work, including architectural conservation, intangible cultural heritage protection, and the development of cultural products.

Beijing unveiled a three-year action plan in 2025 for the protection and inheritance of the Central Axis, aiming to establish a national heritage protection and utilization demonstration zone.

"The action plan incorporates multiple plots of land (in the Temple of Heaven area), effectively restoring the overall spatial integrity of the site," says Wu Jingwei, director of the Temple of Heaven Park's heritage office.

In June, the Temple of Heaven Museum opened, offering a systematic interpretation of the site's heaven-worship culture and the essence of traditional ritual systems.

"The museum's establishment helps improve the framework for presenting the Temple of Heaven's heritage value, boosting our work in the fields of exhibitions, public education and research on the cultural relics collections," Wu says.

The Divine Music Administration serves as its main exhibition zone, housing the Zhonghe Shaoyue ritual music display. Other heritage buildings function as sub-exhibition areas.

The administration was once the highest ritual music academy for training and practicing Zhonghe Shaoyue, the imperial ritual music performed in sacrificial rites and other grand ceremonies during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Zhonghe Shaoyue was included on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2021.

The exhibition traces the culture and history of Zhonghe Shaoyue, a form of ceremonial music comprising rites, music, singing, and dance. Exhibits include replicas of the musical instruments and an animation clip showcasing imperial ceremonies.

"Zhonghe Shaoyue ritual music is solemn and serene. During performances, we generally follow the principle of 'one syllable, one note, one movement' — dignified, calm and harmonious, giving audiences a sense of perfect beauty," says Huo Yi, deputy director of the Divine Music Administration's yayue (elegant music) center.

"We should restore not only the physical altars but also the culture that once thrived within them. Only by protecting both its tangible and intangible heritage can we preserve the Temple of Heaven in its integrity," he says.

Wu, director of the heritage office, couldn't agree more.

"In recent years, we have advanced the preservation and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage through both online and offline approaches. We preserve tangible and intangible heritage and offer diverse cultural services to visitors," she says.

"We have carried out ongoing cultural relics documentation for the Temple of Heaven. For heritage monitoring work, we use 3D scanning technologies and oblique photography to create high-precision 3D models and capture digital data of heritage buildings, securing permanent full-scale digital archives," Wu says.

Digital documentation of core zones, including the Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar, is complete. The broader digitization effort is still underway, with full-site coverage rolling out in phases.

Wu adds that heritage-monitoring equipment has been installed at the Circular Mound Altar, with modules covering visitor flow, weather conditions and structural degradation. The system enables real-time data collection and integrated analysis, helping researchers assess trends and providing a scientific basis for future conservation and restoration.

Beyond these conservation efforts, the park also enriches the visitor experience through cultural and creative products. By transforming profound cultural imagery into portable, everyday items, the park brings cultural heritage closer to people.

It offers more than 1,000 cultural and creative products across 13 major categories, including handicrafts, food and toys, with around 50 new items rolled out each year.

Among the bestsellers is the multilayered fridge magnet, designed based on the zaojing (caisson ceiling) of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The exquisite caisson ceiling features a dragon and a phoenix, auspicious totems in Chinese culture, soaring at the zenith of heaven.

Modeled on the ceiling's actual structure, the layers can be displayed separately or stacked to recreate the complete ceiling.

"We update our cultural and creative products every year, using the rich cultural heritage to inspire designs. People buy them partly as souvenirs, and to learn about the history and stories behind the architecture along the Central Axis," says Yang Shuo, director of the sales department of the Temple of Heaven's stores.