Beijing East Road (CFP Photo)

Nanjing will designate a new historical and cultural zone of 2.12 square kilometers at Beijing East Road, according to the city's draft blueprint for territorial spatial planning 2021-2035.

This means Nanjing will have four such zones that together put a total of 21.44 square kilometers under protection, 51.04% of the area circled by the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Jiming Temple (CFP Photo)

The Beijing East Road used to host the highest educational institution and management agency in the Eastern Jin (317-420) and Ming dynasties. The area also has the former sites of the Beijige Meteorological Observatory, the National Central University, the Academia Sinica and Jiming Temple, also accompanied by Jiuhua Mountain, and Xuanwu Lake, which fully shows Nanjing's overall landscape characteristics of mountain, water, City Wall and green space.

Beijige Meteorological Observatory (CFP Photo)

Among the three established zones, the Gulou-Qingliang Mountain area of 6.04 square kilometers focuses on legacies of culture in modern times. The Laochengnan area (ancient southern part of the city) spanning 6.88 square kilometers is a top destination for traditional Jiangnan residential houses. The third one, the Nanjing Ming Palace, covers an area of 6.4 square kilometers.

The draft plan said Nanjing will preserve and maintain the traditional layout, historical style and environmental features of the zone, and require new buildings to be compatible with the heritage in height, size, style and color.

In addition, the new zone aims to become more accessible to the public and highlight cultural exhibition and leisure.