The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Drum and Bell Towers - all of these architectural wonders stand on a line that runs like a spine through the centre of Beijing. It is known as the Beijing Central Axis, a World Heritage site containing a spectacular array of ancient buildings that together tell the story of Beijing, from its Yuan dynasty foundations through the spectacular building projects of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Dan Snow cycles through Beijing, pedalling along the length of the Central Axis, exploring these great sites, travelling in the footsteps of the emperors and workers who created this great city - a city whose modern shape still reflects its original centuries-old plan. As he rides, Dan discovers clues about Beijing’s past, from the detailed decoration of the Forbidden City to a man-made mountain and the courtyards of the humble hutongs, where the people who serviced the empire lived. Join us on a fascinating journey into China’s past with special access to some of Beijing’s finest locations.
Up Next in Trending
-
The Galloway Hoard
A real treat for History Hit, this is an exceptional private view of a unique discovery, a glittering hoard of beautifully crafted objects in silver, gold and crystal, buried in the ground and forgotten 1100 years ago.
The Galloway Hoard opens an extraordinary window into the Viking Age, a time...
-
Edward II: Worst King of England?
Dr Helen Carr explores the extraordinary and chaotic reign of Edward II, a king with a reputation as a disastrous ruler. But how much of that is true?
Edward's accession as king of England in 1307 led almost immediately to conflict as he favoured close friends, and maybe lovers, like Piers Gaves...
-
Bannockburn: The Battle for Scotland
Helen Carr takes a deep dive into the story of one of the most decisive battles in medieval history.
In 1314, a massive English army headed into Scotland, led by King Edward II. He was on a mission to crush his arch enemy, the Scottish King, Robert the Bruce.
The battle that followed, by the Ba...
2 Comments