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 ƒ‚‚"ƒ‚‚€ƒ‚‚" 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.