Beijing: A Symmetrical City

I found this book very interesting and it's certainly an original concept that I've never seen before, which is very exciting! I love the illustrations, I think they are fantastic and I really love how they are spread over two pages. I do also like the small map in the corner of each page, I think it's a good addition but I do worry the design might be a little abstract for some younger readers.

I also like how the book tries to be interactive with the "Look!" sections, but I think they might work even better if they were separated from the main block of text and made to stand out more. With a small graphic or a text box, just something to draw the readers' attention to it.

I enjoyed the facts and tips but I was definitely wondering the whole time why? Why is everything symmetrical and what's the significance? I thought maybe I had missed something but it turns out you don't find out why until the end.

Overall, I am just in love with the idea of this book. I can see this being used in schools and for class projects, especially when learning about different cultures throughout the world.

I loved it. It's short, but beautifully illustrated. It transported me to ancient Beijing and made me wonder. The illustrations are detailed, and there are maps and schematics. Functions of historical buildings are explained, even for ones that aren't there anymore. It was a quick, but very cool read.

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

It’s not often I select a non-fiction book to read, but this one sounded so interesting I had to try it. First, I am not as familiar with Beijing as I would like to be. Second, I had no idea the city was symmetrical and it made me very curious to learn a little about that why it was made that way. Beijing: A Symmetrical City focuses on the city during the Qing Dynasty.

One of the main features of the book are the illustrations, which are in a familiar Chinese style and one that helps draw you into the culture and city being presented. Depending on what is being described within the narrative the drawings may be of a map, or a particular part of the city, such as what the city may look like once you pass through the Noon Gate. The pages show many colors, but red and gold – the colors of the emperor – are very prominent.

The information on the pages describe what you may see when you walk through a certain gate or go along a certain path. Descriptions include what type of buildings are in certain sections as well as their purpose, such as how the gate tower stores ceremonial supplies.

After the story moves from how the city was designed, it also goes on to show how it now influences the modern city of Beijing, which is not symmetrical and how parts of the city nearby are laid out.

Within the pages are Fun Facts and Knowledge Tips and then at the end is a more highlighted view of certain points of the city. Because of some of the terminology used, such as ‘central axis’ or occasionally uses of more difficult words like ‘cosmopolitan,’ the age range I recommend is for older middle grade through adult.

Overall, a very informative book for those wanting to learn a little more about one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. I can also see this as a terrific book for libraries to have on hand as well. I did find some of the font size a little small for me, but it is probably how I viewed it.

Rating: 4 stars

What a cool book! Before reading this I knew absolutely nothing about Beijing's architecture, and this was such a great primer on its past and current structures. I would recommend this for students 5th grade and above, and also for adults looking for a quick, illustrative book on architecture in Beijing.

Thank you to Netgalley and 1 Plus Books for a chance to read this complimentary advanced reader’s copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I had the chance to read this book with my daughters 8 and 10. The girls were very interested in this nonfiction book. Is a great book to learn geography, since we started pointing out where China is located. Some words were new to them but that is great opportunity to check the dictionary and learn new vocabulary. We learned about dynasties and the way of life in that era in China.
The illustrations are beautiful. My girls loved it!

Un'insolita maniera di esplorare una città, soprattutto se complessa e affascinante come Pechino: tavole dettagliatissime e suggestive, brevi testi di approfondimento che, con l'amore evidente di chi ci abita da sempre, aiutano a scoprirla.
Un bel testo, una vera scoperta.

Thank you to 1 Plus Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautifully illustrated book with excellent descriptions of China history. We recently went to China with our teenagers school and learned about Beijing culture and architecture. I wish I would have had this book prior to our travels! It was so clear and concise in describing the history of China including how and why they built their cities the way they did.
I would definitely recommend this book to children and adults alike!

This is a beautifully illustrated book about how Beijing was designed and built. It would be helpful to young person doing research on urban design.

A really neat book detailing the architecture and history of Beijing. This book contains gorgeous drawings and is extremely informative without being too dense. The physical book is probably best as I wanted to look more closely at all the details! I would recommend this for children age 8 and older, specifically ones who are interested in architecture.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC.

I received a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.

This book is very informative and dense. I agree with the comments that say that the language is a bit repetitive, sometimes clumsy, but I guess this is because the book is aimed at kids and teens. The density of the topic combined with the volume of information plus the fact that most children and teenagers in English-speaking countries know little of China explains why the language is sometimes a bit repetitive. It's to make things clearer and really hammer in the info presented.

The book gives a great historical overview of Beijing, focusing mainly on the Qing Dynasty. We follow the axis from South to North, each double page showcasing a large and beautiful illustration with an informative text in the lower part of the pages. I really liked the illustrations as they really look like a slightly modernized version of Chinese illustrations. Something I can appreciate as an art historian for East Asian art.
There are some simplifications where I, as an adult, just raised my brows a little. I know that texts for kids and teens tend to simplify concepts and go the "traditional" route that verges on stereotypical. All the talk of harmony and other things just seem kinda...weird. Culture is inherently political and the unspoken things lay heavy on the material, in my opinion.

However, despite a few moments of hesitation from my part, the book remains an interesting and densely packed source of information with beautiful illustrations. In the latter pages they even summarize the content with small-scale images of the double-spread illustrations, coloring in the architectural structures and summarizing them. Really a great tool to learn and also to give a presentation.

Don't let my adult perspective deter you from reading this. All books on culture and history for children and teens (and adults) have to be simplified and edited to some degree and I don't hold it against the authors. The tone was sometimes a bit weird, bordering on amusing, but other than that, it's a solid source made with love and great artistic skill.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.