This article recapitulates a heated debate between the supporters of two different approaches towards Beijing’s classical architecture: the preservationists and the “demolitionists”. The conflict itself is well rooted in the ancient past, the city was looted many times, important buildings were demolished and rebuilt. However, throughout history, Beijing’s classical urban grid survived almost unharmed, but when the political centre was moved from the imperial palace to Communist Party Central Committee, Beijing city’s structure underwent major changes. First of all, Liang Sicheng’s remarkable plan to build a new administrative centre outside the city walls was refuted, Chang’an Avenue and Tiananmen Square became a seat of administrative centre instead. Secondly, Beijing’s city walls and gates, viewed by Peoples’ Government as an obstacle for development and a remainder of feudalist epoch, were torn to the ground. After 1979, when the reform and opening up period has begun, traditional architecture of Beijing faces new perils. The powerful alliance of real-estate companies and city’s government is aiming at maximizing its profits, from its point of view, traditional alleys (hutongs) should be demolished in order to make way for the new modern architecture. To sum up with, the efforts of preservationists were proven to be futile, Beijing’s historical architecture and ancient urban grid are disappearing rapidly.