A walk along the central axis of the capital is a journey through hundreds of years of imperial splendor and unique city lifestyle where history and modernity vie for attention, writes Raymond Zhou.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics opened with a trail of giant footsteps walking from southern Beijing all the way to the National Stadium on the north side of the capital. The footsteps were formed by successive salvos of fireworks shot into the night sky, so the best vantage point would be that of a bird or plane flying overhead.

That was certainly an impressive way of making an entrance fit for an imaginary giant. But do not despair. A mere mortal can follow that path and walk up the central axis of the ancient city with imaginary pomp and pageantry. You may not leave awe-inspiring footprints, but you will garner much more intimate impressions of the city and its people than the giant would have.