cháng'ān jiē: 长安街 - Chang'an Avenue, Avenue of Eternal Peace

• Keywords: Chang'an Avenue, Chang'an Jie, Changan Street, Avenue of Eternal Peace, Beijing main street, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Chinese politics, military parades, 神州第一街, what is Chang'an Avenue.
• Summary: Discover the meaning and significance of 长安街 (Cháng'ān Jiē), Beijing's most important and famous boulevard. Known as Chang'an Avenue or the “Avenue of Eternal Peace,” this isn't just a street; it's the political and cultural artery of China, home to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the stage for grand national military parades. This entry explores its history, cultural symbolism, and practical use in modern Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): Cháng'ān Jiē
• Part of Speech: Proper Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (A proper noun, but essential cultural knowledge for intermediate learners and above).
• Concise Definition: Chang'an Avenue, a major east-west thoroughfare through the center of Beijing, China.
• In a Nutshell: 长安街 (Cháng'ān Jiē) is to Beijing what the National Mall is to Washington D.C. or the Champs-Élysées is to Paris. It's the grand, central axis of the capital, lined with the most important government buildings and national landmarks. It serves as the primary stage for displays of national pride and power, making it far more than just a way to get from one place to another; it's a symbol of China itself.

• 长 (cháng): This character means “long” or “lengthy.” In a more poetic or historical context, it can also imply “eternal” or “forever.”
• 安 (ān): This character means “peace,” “tranquility,” or “safety.”
• 街 (jiē): This character simply means “street” or “avenue.”

The characters combine to mean “Avenue of Eternal Peace.” The name was given during the Ming Dynasty, reflecting the emperor's wish for long-lasting peace and stability for the nation, with his capital at its heart.

长安街 (Cháng'ān Jiē) is often called 神州第一街 (Shénzhōu Dì-yī Jiē)—“The First Street of China.” Its significance is deeply rooted in both imperial and modern Chinese history. Geographically, it forms a major part of the city's central axis, running east-west and passing directly in front of Tiananmen (the Gate of Heavenly Peace), which is the main entrance to the Forbidden City. This location places it at the absolute political and historical heart of the country. Along its length, you'll find:

• Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)
• The Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂)
• The National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆)
• The Zhongnanhai compound (中南海), the headquarters of the central government.

Comparison to Western Culture: The best comparison for 长安街 (Cháng'ān Jiē) is the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Both are vast, central public spaces flanked by key government buildings, national museums, and monuments. Both are used for major national celebrations (like the 4th of July fireworks or China's National Day parades) and have also been the sites of significant political protests. While the National Mall is a green park space and Chang'an Jie is a wide boulevard (up to 10 lanes in places), their symbolic function as the nation's “main stage” is remarkably similar. The term evokes a sense of grandeur, formality, and national power. For Chinese people, it's not just a street name; it's a place loaded with historical memory and patriotic feeling.

In daily life, 长安街 (Cháng'ān Jiē) is mentioned in several contexts:

• Giving Directions and Location: As the city's main artery, it's a primary reference point. Buildings are often described as being “on Chang'an Avenue” or “just north of Chang'an Avenue.”
• Discussing National Events: When people talk about National Day celebrations, military parades (阅兵), or major political meetings, 长安街 is almost always part of the conversation.
• News and Media: The media refers to it constantly when reporting on government activities, foreign dignitary visits, or national holidays.
• Traffic: Due to its central location, it's a key part of any traffic report. During major events, large sections are often closed to the public, causing significant disruption.

The connotation is almost always formal and significant. You wouldn't refer to a small, unimportant alley using any part of this name. It carries a heavy weight of importance.

• Example 1:
  • 每年国庆节，长安街上都会有盛大的阅兵仪式。
  • Pinyin: Měi nián Guóqìngjié, Cháng'ān Jiē shàng dūhuì yǒu shèngdà de yuèbīng yíshì.
  • English: Every year on National Day, there is a grand military parade on Chang'an Avenue.
  • Analysis: This shows the avenue's role as the stage for national celebrations. `阅兵 (yuèbīng)` is a key vocabulary word associated with this location.
• Example 2:
  • 我们酒店的位置很好，就在长安街边上。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jiǔdiàn de wèizhì hěn hǎo, jiù zài Cháng'ān Jiē biān shàng.
  • English: Our hotel's location is excellent, it's right next to Chang'an Avenue.
  • Analysis: A common, practical usage for describing a location in Beijing.
• Example 3:
  • 晚上长安街的灯光很漂亮，像一条金色的河。
  • Pinyin: Wǎnshàng Cháng'ān Jiē de dēngguāng hěn piàoliang, xiàng yī tiáo jīnsè de hé.
  • English: The lights on Chang'an Avenue at night are beautiful, like a golden river.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the aesthetic and grand atmosphere of the avenue.
• Example 4:
  • 沿着长安街一直往东走，你就能看到王府井了。
  • Pinyin: Yánzhe Cháng'ān Jiē yīzhí wǎng dōng zǒu, nǐ jiù néng kàn dào Wángfǔjǐng le.
  • English: Walk straight east along Chang'an Avenue, and you'll see Wangfujing.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using the avenue as a landmark for giving directions.
• Example 5:
  • 由于有重要活动，明天长安街会实行交通管制。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú yǒu zhòngyào huódòng, míngtiān Cháng'ān Jiē huì shíxíng jiāotōng guǎnzhì.
  • English: Due to an important event, traffic control will be implemented on Chang'an Avenue tomorrow.
  • Analysis: Highlights the avenue's connection to official state functions that affect daily life.
• Example 6:
  • 许多重要的国家机关都坐落在长安街两旁。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō zhòngyào de guójiā jīguān dōu zuòluò zài Cháng'ān Jiē liǎng páng.
  • English: Many important national government offices are located on both sides of Chang'an Avenue.
  • Analysis: This sentence explicitly states the political importance of the avenue.
• Example 7:
  • 你看，那座宏伟的建筑就是人民大会堂，它就在长安街上。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn, nà zuò hóngwěi de jiànzhù jiùshì Rénmín Dàhuìtáng, tā jiù zài Cháng'ān Jiē shàng.
  • English: Look, that magnificent building is the Great Hall of the People, it's right on Chang'an Avenue.
  • Analysis: Pointing out a specific, famous landmark located on the avenue.
• Example 8:
  • 骑自行车夜游长安街是一种非常独特的体验。
  • Pinyin: Qí zìxíngchē yè yóu Cháng'ān Jiē shì yī zhǒng fēicháng dútè de tǐyàn.
  • English: Taking a night tour of Chang'an Avenue by bicycle is a very unique experience.
  • Analysis: Shows a more recreational and personal way of interacting with this famous landmark.
• Example 9:
  • 这条街为什么叫长安街？它和古代的长安城有关系吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhè tiáo jiē wèishéme jiào Cháng'ān Jiē? Tā hé gǔdài de Cháng'ān chéng yǒu guānxì ma?
  • English: Why is this street called Chang'an Avenue? Does it have a connection to the ancient city of Chang'an?
  • Analysis: A typical question a learner or tourist might ask, connecting the name to its historical origins.
• Example 10:
  • 长安街的宽度和长度都体现了首都的气派。
  • Pinyin: Cháng'ān Jiē de kuāndù hé chángdù dōu tǐxiàn le shǒudū de qìpài.
  • English: The width and length of Chang'an Avenue both reflect the impressive style of the capital city.
  • Analysis: This sentence touches upon the symbolism of the avenue's physical dimensions.

• Not just “a street”: A common mistake for learners is to underestimate its significance. Calling it “Changan street” in English is technically correct but fails to capture its grandeur. “Chang'an Avenue” or “Chang'an Boulevard” is a much better translation.
• 长安 (Cháng'ān) vs. 长安街 (Cháng'ān Jiē): Do not use `长安` alone to refer to the avenue. `长安` by itself refers to the ancient capital city of several dynasties, which is modern-day Xi'an (西安). The `街 (jiē)` is essential to specify you're talking about the avenue in Beijing.
• East and West Sections: In practice, the avenue is often divided into two parts relative to Tiananmen Square: 西长安街 (Xī Cháng'ān Jiē), West Chang'an Avenue, and 东长安街 (Dōng Cháng'ān Jiē), East Chang'an Avenue. Using these specific names shows a higher level of proficiency and understanding of Beijing's geography.

• 天安门 (Tiān'ānmén): The “Gate of Heavenly Peace.” The most famous landmark on the avenue and the entrance to the Forbidden City.
• 故宫 (Gùgōng): The Forbidden City. Chang'an Avenue runs along its southern edge.
• 阅兵 (yuèbīng): Military parade. These grand events are famously held on Chang'an Avenue.
• 神州第一街 (Shénzhōu Dì-yī Jiē): “The First Street of the Divine Land (China).” A prestigious nickname for Chang'an Avenue.
• 人民大会堂 (Rénmín Dàhuìtáng): The Great Hall of the People, China's legislature building, located on the west side of Tiananmen Square on the avenue.
• 王府井 (Wángfǔjǐng): A famous and bustling pedestrian shopping street that intersects with Chang'an Avenue.
• 长安 (Cháng'ān): The historical capital city (now Xi'an) from which the avenue gets its auspicious name.
• 北京 (Běijīng): The capital city of China, where Chang'an Avenue is the central artery.