“ Witness to the Cultural Development of Beijing @ Beijing’s Central Axis” is a series of documentaries co-developed by Beijing International Studies University (BISU) and China.org.cn. About 40 students from the university participated in the production over a period of 150 days.

The first episode is broadcast on Jan 4.

It is the third season of the "China as I Can See" video series by China.org.cn. Using the medium of documentary for the first time, the series provides more details to showcase how international students view China. With six episodes, it presents the scenery and culture of the Temple of Heaven, the Jingshan Park, the Wanning Bridge, the Bell and Drum Towers and the Temple of Agriculture.

Students from BRI partner countries such as Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Serbia explored the 7.8-kilometer-long axis located in the heart of old Beijing. Guided by experts and scholars, they broadened their horizons and gained a deeper understanding of Beijing's culture.  

A poster of the documentary series --‘China as I Can See’

Jovana, a Serbian student, took part in the filming of the first episode on the Temple of Heaven. She was deeply impressed by the influence the heaven, the earth, the nature and the universe have on ancient Chinese architecture, and the beauty of order embodied by the central axis. 

Jovana(L) participates in the filming of the first episode.

For Angelina, a Kazakhstan student who visited Beijing’s hutongs, the experience is a journey of the soul. Walking through the hutongs near the Bell and Drum Towers brought her back to the old Beijing.

Angelina visits a hutong and talks with a resident there.

Yang Hao, one of the creators of the documentaries, said participating in three seasons of filmmaking gave him a deeper understanding of the essence of international communication and the methods to do it well.

Yang shoots the third episode of the video series.  

Liu Zitong, a member of the directing team, said that compared with other forms of videos, a documentary is more complex and challenging. During the process, he learned how to write the story line and valued teamwork.

Liu (R) is a member of the directing team.

Li Xiaoying, researcher of Beijing Central Axis Culture Institute, pointed out that many people are striving to ensure that Beijing, amid rapid development, does not lose its historical heritage. She’s delighted to see the progress made by Beijing and will endeavor to protect its cultural uniqueness.  

Li ( L) introduces Beijing’s culture in the third episode.

The series is a fruit of the cooperation between BISU and the media outside the university, which provides profound opportunities for the students to gain firsthand experience of international communication.

The series has been broadcast in several media outlets, including China.org.cn’s and BISU’s social media accounts, Beijing Daily, Beijing Evening News and China Media Group Mobile.                            

Beijing’s Central Axis is the world's longest and most complete ancient urban axis still in existence. Planned and constructed in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), it has undergone more than seven centuries of changes, bearing the profound heritage of Chinese civilization.