Building on the past

AFTER DECADES OF MODERNIZATION, Beijing is starting to pay more attention to protecting its cultural heritage; but which sites should be preserved or restored, and how, has become a subject of much debate.

At the heart of this debate lies the "Dragon Vein", the central axis that runs north to south through the heart of the city and which links a number of historic sites, including the Palace Museum, Tian'anmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven.

Along with the Beijing municipal government's campaign to have existing heritage sites along the central axis included on the World Cultural Heritage list, it has also proposed restoring or rebuilding sites that were previously demolished.