I teach online to kids and some adults in China. Reading books like these helps me to understand little pieces of their culture. I really enjoyed this book! Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

It’s always nice to read how historical buildings came to be, what they were called and their purpose. I really loved reading through each part of the Old City and all the information and lore about each building. The contrast between the New city and the Old one was very interesting and I’m honestly shocked that it just started changing from the 40s since I thought the changes happened much earlier. The art was simple yet detailed, I spent more time looking at the architecture than reading!

I only had two issue while reading this book. I wish the labeling were done in the first half of the book rather than the second because I was confused half of the time even with the tiny map at the edge of the page. The wordings used were somewhat repetitive to me and unnecessary long with explaining one point.

Overall, a really great read if you like architecture and watching Chinese historical dramas!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy for an honest review.

A beautiful and very interesting book covering the history of Beijing. There's a timeline and glossary at the back of the book for easy reference, and lots of aerial view diagrams of the city to highlight the area being discussed. There's a lot of information packed in, but it never gets dry or boring. The illustrations are just lovely, with a feeling of Chinese brush painting. A great addition to any home, school, or public library.

#BeijingASymmetricalCity #NetGalley

I rarely read nonfiction, but when I do, I am clearly attracted to gorgeous illustrated books like this. This book is about the symmetrical layout of Beijing during the Qing dynasty (as the title suggests), which I'have previously known nothing about. So as I read the blurb, I was intrigued and drawn to the illustration style, which is classic Chinese and fits really well. The text snippets describe in a clear language what you can see in the illustration on the same page, what purpose certain buildings serve or what you see if you would take a walk there, and are enriched with fun facts and knowledge tips. The book moves on to the influences of the "olden times" layout of the city on Beijing nowadays, which isn't symmetrical anymore.

Overall, I would like to recommend this book, but since I read this digitally and had to use Adobe Digital Editions for viewing the file type, the symmetry of the illustrations and the design as a whole fell short for me. But if I had read this on paper, I would've enjoyed this even more.

What I loved about this book: The illustrations are intricately detailed to really give you a feel for how the city looks even today. There is so much wonderful information in the text, including translations of the names of places. As you're reading it, you're given directions that make you feel like you are right there walking around with the author. I want to go visit the city in person, and likely use this book as a guide while doing so, like my own personal tour guide as I am walking around. Fun facts also give more insight into the history of the city. We also learn about traditional ceremonies and everyday life.

In the back, the city is presented again, this time going from the south to the north, with different drawings to give a different perspective and diagrams showing the different talking points. A full glossary is helpful for vocabulary.

What I didn't like about the book: To me, the print is awfully small, at least in my review copy. It reminded me more of a footnote-sized print. I understand that there is a lot of information to be shared with each picture, but it made it very difficult to read and follow along.

Other than the really small print, I did find this book to be overall quite informative and interesting.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for fulfilling my request for a review copy.

3 out of 5 🌟Bookish tour of Beijing

'Beijing: A Symmetrical City' shows architectural schema the South-North axis that was used to create that Chinese city. The book works as both as a guide to the city and its structural design showing each part of the old town with its purpose and layout description.

The book is labeled as children but the number of facts and schemas can be overwhelming. Hence, it's not an entertaining title for kids but work for either teenagers or adults to extend their knowledge about Chinese culture or the city of Beijing. 'Beijing' is heavily illustrated by the author Dawu Yu in the traditional style with abundant details. I love the minuteness of each drawing and the immerse feeling they create.

Overall, it's a great book for every Chinophile or architecture enthusiast. The book provides a lot of information and details that you need to be ready for!

*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and feelings are my own.*

A book for both children and grown-ups! What a great pictorial walk through the heart of Beijing!

What exactly is the Forbidden City? What is Tiananmen Square really, and what was its function in centuries past? Why is this city built on symmetry as ideal?? What are the outer walls and inner walls, the gates and shrines and towers, and what is sacred and off limits, and what is not longer off limits that was in ancient times?

So much is conveyed in such a short space within this book, accompanied by highly detailed illustration of the complex layout and architecture, one walks away having a completely new understanding and even appreciation for what is Beijing.

A city filled with mystical sounding gates and doors -- the Forever Stable Gate, Positive Yang Gate, the Long-Lasting Safety Right Gate, the Great Qing Gate, and a great deal more -- is all here to intrigue and mystify and elucidate.

The illustrations are absolute perfection in detail. Many pages have a "you are here" sort of map key, or arrows pointing to location in another view, so you can see where you are and "see what you're lookin' at."

This book is well suited to all ages. For the youngest, an adult (or older child) would (read to self and) amend the text for the young child, simply pointing out the names of main features, and perhaps creating stories of all the bustling people depicted in some illustrations. For older children, it is a very fun cultural and history learning, fantastic extra support for learning about China and Beijing in school, or just for curious kids. For adults -- yes! for adults -- it makes crystal clear the places you see in the news, but probably (for most) have no real clarity on what it all really is. In fact, this should be in the bookstore and library adult travel section for China travel!

This is one of those pictorial sorts of diagram historical place books, but instead of the common places, here's a place traditionally kept more veiled, finally open to peer deeply inside.

Very recommended, read and learn!

Thank you to NetGalley and to 1 Plus Books for the complimentary review copy.

Really enjoy this book, it feels like you're being transported to Beijing, and going on a tour in that old times. A must read book before you land first on the city itself, or even bring it with you so you can relive those emperor eras while walking around. Or like me, enjoy the book and dreaming while stay at home.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

My students (Montessori preK through 8th grade) will love the detail both in words and illustrations that this book provides. It will become an essential resource for them. I cannot wait to buy it.

There's a surprising amount of depth in this book. Each page packs in a lot of detailed text along with a complex illustration.

As a recent graduate from a Chinese university, I spent the past five years living, studying and working in China - only some of which in Beijing. So I was immediately drawn to this book simply by looking at it's title and beautiful cover, hoping that children's nonfiction about the history and architecture of Beijing would be a particularly enjoyable learning experience.

This book certainly delivers on that front. The illustrations are gorgeous, complete with minute details and lively with people. I also really appreciated the city plan as well as floor plans of the Forbidden City, all of which were very clear. It was really fun to take my time "walking" through these ancient gates while learning what actually used to take place there.

That being said, I am a college graduate who lived in Beijing. And this is a children's book. Yet, starting with the introduction, we read about the history of Beijing complete with names of dynasties and lots of dates which will more than likely be overwhelming for most kids. If you and your child have ties to China, I would buy this book in a heartbeat because it really is amazing. But otherwise, you might find your child only looking at the pictures.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Beautifully illustrated book about Beijing. It’s easy to read and entertaining. I shared this with my toddlers and they were in awe to see such landscapes. Highly recommend for anyone of any age, for travelers and those just wanting to escape and learn.

Dawu Yu introduces the reader into the vibrant culture of Beijing with the history and culture illustrated with gorgeous colors and symmetrical images.

Beijing: A Symmetrical City was a very informative book. I've had the fortune of traveling to Beijing while in school, and it was interesting to see Yu's renderings of both past and present features of Beijing urban planning. Though I've studied Chinese history, there were still tidbits of information I didn't know, which speaks to how thorough the book is. That being said, it's not boring.

The book is recommended for ages 10 and up, so keep that in mind when making purchasing decisions (that doesn't mean younger children won't enjoy it!). There's a lot of text, and there's a glossary in the back for more difficult words.

Beijing: A Symmetrical City could be used as a handy travel guide. It mostly focuses on the Forbidden Palace and its immediate surroundings, but it also mentions the Birds Nest and other significant places. This book could open up children to a world of new interests: Chinese history (or history in general), architecture, cartography, theology, and ancient political systems. I highly recommend it!

A note: the text is too small to comfortably read on a computer or tablet. The book is currently only available in paperback, and I think that's the best format to read it, even if a digital version becomes available.

This was good, but nothing overwhelming. I had trouble figuring out the layout, even though I've been to the Forbidden City. Maybe this is partly reading this as an ebook instead of a physical copy.

Written by a Beijing native, he is clearly passionate about his city of birth. This is a fascinating and detailed account of the history of Beijing's symmetrical city alongside exquisite illustrations. This is a very thorough history and possibly too detailed for young children as there is just so much information. However, the illustrations alone could be used to begin a discussion about this city with so much cultural heritage. At the end of the book there is a useful timeline from 1046, when Beijing was first built and a glossary. Thank you to Dawn Wu, Net Galley and the publisher, 1Plus for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My first thought --- short. Too short. I feel like the book is composed of a few fun facts about the city, but not very organized, and that makes it less appealing, actually. Also, the font size is too small so it wasn't really comfortable to read, but the illustrations are awesome! I finished the book mainly because the illustrations are really nice (and yes, because it's so short) , but I wished there was more context in the book. Could have been better. I've visited Beijing once years ago, and it's refreshing to read about it from the architectural aspect, since I all did when I visited was just walking around and taking pictures. Despite what I find about the book unappealing, I would still recommend it to anyone who likes Beijing and wants to learn more about it.

A look into the architecture of historical Beijing(mainly the palace). I found the font size too small. A little bit boring at times but I enjoyed the small interesting facts about the architecture. I think if we followed a storyline or a person living in those times, it'd make it more engaging. The illustrations were mostly good, my favorite is the one on the cover.

Reading this book has made me more curious to go and check out the place for myself! It's just too sad that Beijing has been tearing down more of the old 'hutongs'(alleys) in recent years. I think it's vital to a city and tourism to keep some of the old things that fashioned it to what it has become today.

I really enjoyed this graphic novel because of its art style and entrenching plot. I would highly recommend this to fans of graphic novels and odd, interesting stories.

Review to be posted on April 1st on Blog/Goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

A gorgeously illustrated book about Beijing and its architecture and symmetry. Each two pages we go deeper into Beijing and we get closer to the center of it all. I loved seeing each layer (just like an onion only then prettier and without the eyes producing tears like mad) of the city and to read about each gate, each courtyard, each spot and see what it was used for and who could use it. Just the emperor? The people? Someone else?
I loved how we first started off with old and then went to newer buildings, like the Olympic buildings.

Next to information about each part/layer, we also get fun facts and knowledge tips about this specific layer/part or about Beijing in general. I loved that those were added they gave some extra to the book.

Also, though it took me 2 layers before I saw that the drawing on the right side was a map and that the red dot was where we are, I liked the little map. It was quite a nice addition though I would have like it more if it was bigger and better visible.

I also think I would have enjoyed this one if it was a book instead of an ebook. ADE doesn't really allow for zooming in (it just crashes if you try), so I had to squint and get close to my screen. And no, my eyes are perfectly well, but reading on a pc makes my eyes unhappy. Not to mention that these pages are two page spreads and with ebook they get cut up in two separate pages with kind of ruin the gorgeousness of the illustrations.

The illustrations were gorgeous though, I loved that they were done in (old) Chinese style. That is one of my favourite styles, I just love how elegant and harmonious it always looks.

I would definitely recommend this book. I love this book but I know tiny me would have loved to have this book as well when she was still young. I know kids (and adults) will have a great time reading this one and discover Beijing. And hopefully one day I can visit Beijing.