值得一提的是，北京中轴线并不是一条道路，而是由高高低低、错落有致的建筑所组成。最为外国朋友们所熟知的，甚至被看作是“中国的象征”的天安门、故宫等建筑，就坐落在中轴线上。

Quadrangular courtyards, or Siheyuan, and the narrow streets lined with those courtyards, or hutong, are both icons of Beijing that are mostly scattered around the axis. It is more than fair to say the Central Axis is the epitome of quintessential old Beijing.

此外，古代帝王祭祀场所天坛、报时中心钟鼓楼、外城城门永定门等等，都是中轴线上的标志性建筑。

Moreover, building complexes along the central axis showcase ancient Chinese architecture and embody Chinese philosophy on the relationship between heaven and mankind. The main structures of the Temple of Heaven are circular, symbolizing the relationship of heaven and earth at the heart of ancient Chinese cosmology.

四合院、胡同等北京“名片”大多也分布在中轴线周围。可以说，北京城的特色和韵味就浓缩在这条线上。

Moreover, building complexes along the central axis showcase ancient Chinese architecture and embody Chinese philosophy on the relationship between heaven and mankind. The main structures of the Temple of Heaven are circular, symbolizing the relationship of heaven and earth at the heart of ancient Chinese cosmology.

不仅如此，中国古人的建筑智慧和对天人关系的哲学思考，也在这些建筑群上得以体现。天坛的主要建筑均为圆形，象征着中国古人天圆地方的宇宙观。

（图片来源：视觉中国）

The reciprocal concepts of Yin and Yang, right and left, civil and military, as well as the dichotomy of simple dialectics, can be found everywhere in the design of the Forbidden City. The symmetrical layout of the Central Axis, which echoes the golden mean in Chinese ideology, is still widely applied in urban planning and architectural design to this day.

阴阳、左右、文武这些相对的概念，以及一分为二的朴素辩证法思想在紫禁城的建筑里随处可见；彰显中国人中庸之道的中轴线对称布局，直到现在还在很多城市规划和建筑设计中应用。

The Central Axis’ beauty lies in its balance and harmony. In the past 800 years, the city of Beijing has gone through lots of changes, yet the Central Axis has been kept in good repair.

800年前，中轴线开启了北京城市格局的“壮美秩序”。它的美在于中正、和谐。800年里，北京城市发展历经变迁，中轴线经过多次研究、修缮、维护，得以较好地保存了下来。

Some spots have been repurposed as times have changed. The once important ritual sites for the imperial family have become parks. Shichahai, once a stretch of the Grand Canal, has now emerged as a chic hangout for young people. As the city grows, the Central Axis continues to extend. The Olympic Park was added in the north and Daxing International Airport was built in the south.

如今，北京中轴线上，原来皇家举行重大仪式的地方，已经变成了公园；曾经的大运河通道什刹海成为了年轻人的聚集地。北端建设了奥林匹克公园，南边建起了大兴国际机场。

The Central Axis has been a cultural symbol for generations and will continue to be one long into the future.

北京中轴线不断延伸，它作为中国文化的代表符号，其魅力也在不断发扬，历久弥新。

来源：中国三分钟

PUT ME AT THE TOP返回搜狐，查看更多