Before seeing emperor, the ambassador had to climb the three layers of stairs to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Finally standing in front of the hall, completely overwhelmed by the grandeur and beauty of the building, he knelt down. "I am not kowtowing to the emperor, but rather the splendid architecture here. I just have to do it," said the ambassador.

The ambassador had only walked a small section of Beijing's central line.

  Rhythm of the central line

If you were a visitor to Beijing during the Ming or Qing dynasties, you would most likely enter the city via Yongding Gate, the beginning of the central line at the southern end. On the east of the gate is the Temple of Heaven, and on the west the Ancestral Farm Altar, giving the first impressions of symmetrical architecture. 

Marching ahead one sees the first climax along the central line, the Tianqiao (overpass), a place known for its folk art performances. After passing through a short street teeming with vendors, one can fully experience the wonder of the imperial city, with its golden buildings standing imposingly along the central line. The Gate of Heavenly Peace, Duanmen Gate, Wumen Gate, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Complete Harmony, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union, and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility are placed orderly along the central line, with the Imperial garden close behind.

Climbing up Jingshan Hill, one could see all the glittering buildings in the Forbidden City. The Wanchun Pavilion on the top of the hill is the highest elevation in Beijing, where one can get a panoramic view of the city. On the north of Jingshan Hill is the Gate of Earthly Peace, which is a place boasting distinctive Beijing flavor with many locals. Not far from there stands another magnificent building, the Drum Tower, which is only second to Qianmen Gate. About 100 meters from the Drum Tower is the Bell Tower, whose shape is like a square stamp, revealing the real identity of Beijing. 

Around the Drum and Bell Towers are large quadrangle courtyards of civilian residences, setting off the magnificence of imperial palaces.

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