Cutting-edge technologies revitalize Beijing Central Axis

As the Beijing Central Axis approaches the first anniversary of its inscription on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), cutting-edge technologies have empowered efforts to protect and preserve its cultural heritage. Meanwhile, a host of new cultural-tourism scenarios have emerged along the axis.

The Yongdingmen Gate tower, the southern terminus of Beijing Central Axis, stands as a witness to both the traditional urban management systems of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and historical events across different eras.

Since the Beijing Central Axis gained the UNESCO World Heritage status, Yongdingmen Gate has become a must-visit landmark. Its historical exhibition, enhanced with modern display technologies, has drown tens of thousands of visitors to the ancient gate tower.

"In the second half of this year, the Yongdingmen Gate tower is scheduled for restoration," said Chen Yanqing, deputy director of Dongcheng District Cultural Heritage Research Center. "Upon completion of this comprehensive conservation effort, its exhibitions will also undergo upgrades to better accommodate visitor needs."

From Yongdingmen Gate, the journey northward along the axis leads to Zhengyangmen Gate. The efforts to restore the Arrow Tower in Zhengyangmen have incorporated the the 3D laser scanning technology.

"For severely damaged architectural components, we conducted comprehensive 3D scanning to create digital models," said Chen Liang, an official of the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Conservation Center. "These informed the precise reconstruction of lintels, railings, and other elements using traditional molds — strictly adhering to original materials, designs, craftsmanship, and techniques."

In the Arrow Tower, there is a multi-function weather station to monitor microclimatic conditions around the ancient structure. Adjacent to it, an integrated BeiDou monitoring station uses advanced data signals to detect potential subsidence in the building's foundation.

The tower is equipped with five distinct monitoring systems, employing remote sensing satellites and online data transmission to enable precision conservation management. It also includes a hydrostatic level, an intelligent video deflectometer, and wireless accelerometers to measure settlement, detect displacement, and monitor vibrations, respectively.

The Drum Tower at the northern anchor of the Beijing Central Axis now features a VR experience zone. In this digital realm, visitors embark on a space-time journey back to the founding era of the Yuan dynasty's Dadu capital. This immersive voyage reveals the axis' origins and the Chinese wisdom behind its design, allowing visitors to learn about traditional Chinese philosophy.