Moonbeam Book Awards - Nonfiction Picture Book - Gold Medal 2020

New York City Big Book Awards - Children's Nonfiction Award 2020


Beijing: A Symmetrical City gives children and adults a unique adventure and an immersive exploration through the ancient Chinese metropolis of Beijing – one of the world's oldest cities, founded about the same time as Rome.

The book guides the reader, step-by-step the ancient city’s architectural development from the 13th century to the modern day bustling Beijing. It shows through beautiful paintings how the city was established almost symmetrically around a central axis with the emperor's Forbidden City palace at the center and all other buildings radiating out.

Readers can also explore the many intricacies of the Forbidden City, along with the unique design and architecture of Beijing's ancient towers and ornate gates, fortified walls, shrines, shops and even the daily life and customs of the historic city over the centuries.

Beijing: A Symmetrical City:

● Features 11 gorgeous full-color Chinese-style paintings, with a total of 49 individual illustrations and 8 fold-out pages.

● Illustrates how the city was designed symmetrically, following the ancient Chinese principles of harmony, balance and order.

● Provides knowledge and immersive experiences of historic significance, layout and locations of important sites throughout the city, which are often overlooked not only by tourists, but also many residents of Beijing.

Award-winning illustrator and author Dawu Yu, after years of meticulous research has created the wonderful and captivating images seen throughout the book – images that visually impart to readers the beauty and symmetry of one of the world’s most aesthetically pleasing cities.

All graphically illustrated with easy to follow text. A gift for children and parents, and anyone with an interest in historical architecture, culture, travel and beyond.

Release date 06/15/2020