During a recent study tour, Professor Cui Li led a group of international students on an English-language walk along Beijing's historic Central Axis, starting at the Drum Tower and heading south to Jingshan Park. She explained the axis's origins, spatial layout, and planning principles, focusing on the Eastern concepts of "ruling from the center" and "symmetrical progression" —ideas that shaped Beijing's urban order for centuries.

Walking the actual route, students gained a vivid, on-the-ground understanding of the ancient capital's design and cultural depth. Many were impressed by the axis's grandeur and deliberate structure, noting how the experience helped them better appreciate traditional Chinese city planning and heritage.