Ｔｈｅ　Ｃｈａｎｇｅｓ　ｔｏ　Ｃｈａｎｇ’ａｎ　Ａｖｅｎｕｅ.docVIP

Ｔｈｅ　Ｃｈａｎｇｅｓ　ｔｏ　Ｃｈａｎｇ’ａｎ　Ａｖｅｎｕｅ 　　 　　BUILT in the 15th century, Chang’an Avenue (Avenue of Eternal Peace) forms Beijing’s ancient east-west axis. It was only 3.7 kilometers long when it was first built, running from Dongdan to Xidan. Through the centuries, the street has been pushed east to Tongzhou District, and west to Shijingshan District. It is now a wide boulevard 46 kilometers long. 　　Many symbols of both ancient and modern China can be found along its length, including Tian’anmen Gate, Tian’anmen Square, which is the heart of Chang’an Avenue, the Great Hall of the People, the Chinese government’s office compound of Zhongnanhai, various museums and theaters, several major commercial areas and metro stations. 　　 　　Historical Sites 　　 　　Dongjiaomin Alley is located to the east of Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall on Tian’anmen Square. It was the embassy area during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Therefore, a variety of grand Western-style buildings can be found there. Today, it is an ideal place to enjoy peace and quiet. 　　The Beijing Ancient Observatory, standing to the south of Jianguomen Overpass, was built in 1442, 223 years earlier than the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. It has an observation history of nearly 500 years, from 1442 to 1929, which is a very long time in the world history of science. Instruments like the equatorial armillary sphere and the quadrant were made during the Qing Dynasty, and still work today. 　　 　　Wangfujing 　　 　　 　　 It is said Wangfujing was named after a nearby well. Imperial administrations and residences of princes assembled in this area over 700 years ago. Gradually, it became a business center of Beijing. In 1983, the local government and sponsors from Hong Kong invested a large sum of money to rebuild this commercial street. 　　When the Oriental Plaza, which is at the south entrance of Wangfujing, was built in 1997, human fossils 20,000 years old were unearthed. It is considered to be as significant a di