Beijing's growing backbone

The capital's north-south axis reflects both Chinese culture and the country's history. Liu Xin and Kong Xiangxin report.

Chinese architect Liang Sicheng, a pioneer of heritage preservation, says: "The unique beauty of Beijing's design is due to its zhongzhouxian."

The capital's north-south central axis, or zhongzhouxian, possibly the world's longest and greatest, according to the architect, has been extended and rejuvenated many times over the centuries.