Kilometer zero was composed and recorded yesterday on two-track guzheng. The term is also written km 0. In many countries, kilometer zero is a term which distances are traditionally measured and some use this as their official country location or coordinates for faster search at space satellites, this is also used for measuring distances between different countries around the world. Historically, they were markers where drivers could set their odometers to follow the directions in early roaming guide books.
One such marker is the Milliarium Aureum ("Golden Milestone") of the Roman Empire, believed to be the literal origin for the maxim that "all roads lead to Rome".
In November 2011, I stood in front of the kilometer zero point of China in Beijing (photo below). It was at Tiananmen Square, just outside the Zhengyangmen Gate. It is marked with a plaque in the ground, with the four cardinal points, four animals, and "Zero Point of Highways, China" in English and Chinese. Behind me, it was Chairman Mao’s Memorial Hall. It is in the southern (main) gate of the Imperial City during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Wu Fei 吴非
Wufeimusic.com | hellogoldmountain.com
