International students discover Beijing's central axis, cultural charm through cycling
Xinhua
07 Aug 2024, 06:50 GMT+10
BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Despite their exhaustion, the sweltering summer heat and sweat-drenched bodies, more than a dozen international students could not conceal their excitement after completing a three-hour bike ride along the central axis of Beijing, each rushing to high-five their team leader.
At a session in India in late July, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the 700-year-old Beijing Central Axis, dubbed the "spine of the city's culture," on the World Heritage List.
"This journey has been very good and it's very great to experience everything," said Callum Deighton, a student from the University of York, Britain, adding that he was amazed by the historic architecture along the central axis.
Deighton was among a group of students from different countries who joined a cycling course offered by the Peking University Summer School International 2024. During the one-month course in July, students had the opportunity to gain cycling knowledge and skills, while joining cycle tours to explore the ancient charm of Beijing.
Lu Fuquan, their team leader and instructor from Peking University, is an avid cycling enthusiast who is also fond of Beijing's historical and cultural heritage. He has planned six cycling routes for the course, leading students on a two-wheeled exploration of the ancient capital.
"To truly explore a city, one cannot be confined to the classroom," said Lu. "I hope to enable young people from various countries to traverse the Beijing Central Axis by bike and experience the charm of the ancient capital's historical and cultural heritage."
Since last year, the course has attracted 130 international students, including those from Britain, France, Canada, Australia, Japan and Singapore.
Beijing, with a history of over 3,000 years, has served as the Chinese capital for 870 years, making it a treasure trove of cultural heritage.
The Beijing Central Axis, the best-preserved example of traditional central axis architecture in China, extends 7.8 km from Yongding Gate in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north.
Fifteen heritage components, including the Bell and Drum Towers, Wanning Bridge, Jingshan Hill, the Tian'anmen Square Complex, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, are located on or alongside the axis.
Maria Lamb, also from the University of York, has clocked up visits to the Great Wall and the Forbidden City during her previous travels in Beijing, but she realized that she had barely scratched the surface of what the city has to offer.
"The Beijing Central Axis definitely does show the culture. If you read between the lines of the buildings, you recognize the history," she said.
During the course, the students cycled through more than 10 major sites along the axis, including Tian'anmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and Jingshan Hill, stopping to explore many of them.
"Beijing is really vibrant," Gabriela Coka, from Spain, said after the Beijing Central Axis bike ride.
"There are a lot of things I haven't been able to get to know. As soon as I learn, I'm sure I'm gonna see more layers of Beijing and China," she said.
Share
Tweet
Share
Flip
Email
Subscribe and Follow
Get a daily dose of Malaysia Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
News RELEASES
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Malaysia Sun.
More InformationThailand-Cambodia tensions rise as border rules tighten
BANGKOK, Thailand: This week, Thailand implemented land border restrictions, including a ban on tourists traveling to Cambodia, as...
Imran Khan's party terms SC's decision on reserved seats "unjust, misinterpretation of Constitution"
Islamabad [Pakistan], June 28 (ANI): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court's decision...
Election will change scenario in Bangladesh, says prominent rights activist Manzill Murshid
Dhaka [Bangladesh], June 28 (ANI): Prominent human rights activist Manzill Murshid anticipated that the upcoming election in Bangladesh...
Economic Watch: Clock ticking on EU-U.S. trade talks as key divides remain
U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable trade policies -- marked by abrupt tariff hikes, temporary suspensions and renewed threats...
Manipur: Pride and patriotism run deep in Churachandpur's army families
By Harshit Bhatia Churachandpur (Manipur) [India], June 28 (ANI): In the mountainous region of Churachandpur in Manipur, tales of...
J-K: BJP MP Brij Lal led-delegation of parliamentarians to address public grievances
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 28 (ANI): The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personal Public Grievances Law and Justice...
From 2028, top earners in Oman will face 5% income tax
DUBAI, U.A.E: Oman is set to introduce a personal income tax as part of its strategy to reduce dependency on hydrocarbon revenues....
U.S. stocks surge despite Trump rift with Canada
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell on Friday announcing he had terminated trade talks with Canada....
United Steelworkers Union chief slams Trump over IRA move
Federal officials, then-Governor of Indiana Eric Holcomb, union leaders, company representatives, and dozens of guests assembled at...
Rent freeze fears hit NYC banks, landlords as Mamdani leads
NEW YORK CITY, New York: New York City's financial markets reacted sharply this week as shares of local banks and real estate investment...
Starbucks refutes media report on plans to exit China
SEATTLE, Washington: U.S. coffee company Starbucks has said it is not planning to sell all of its business in China, even though a...
U.S. markets surge, Dow Jones jumps 404 points
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks surged on Thursday, with Wall Street's major indexes climbing nearly 1 percent as investor optimism...
