Beijing's growing backbone

The Tian'anmen Square in the center of the capital features the Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall and the Monument to the People's Heroes. [Photo/Xinhua]

Feng Feifei, director of the Urban Design Department of Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning and Design, says the city has experienced different historical periods with different value orientations. "The zhongzhouxian's urban function has also differed," she says.

For this reason, various cultures are on display along the axis, including the culture of old Beijing from Yongdingmen to Qianmen, the culture of New China from Mao Zedong Memorial Hall to Tian'anmen, and the imperial culture of the Ming and Qing dynasties from Duanmen to Jingshan Park, Li Jianping says.

The city is aiming to make progress in becoming a top international capital over the next five years, according to the city's new development goals unveiled in June.

The capital is striving to improve as the country's political, cultural, international and innovation center. "A long history means a rich cultural heritage," Feng says.

Ji Xiang and Zhang Lili contributed to the story.