古迹 (gǔ jì) literally means 'ancient traces' — 古 (gǔ) means 'ancient' or 'old,' and 迹 (jì) means 'trace,' 'remnant,' or 'site.' Together, they refer to physical remains from past civilizations that hold historical, cultural, or archaeological significance — such as temples, city walls, tombs, bridges, or imperial palaces. These sites are often protected by law and serve as tangible links to China’s long history.

The term is formal and respectful, commonly used in academic, touristic, and official contexts. It emphasizes authenticity and age: a site must be genuinely old and historically verifiable to qualify as a 古迹 — modern reconstructions or replicas, even if stylistically traditional, are not usually called 古迹. You’ll encounter it in guidebooks, museum labels, news reports about heritage preservation, and government documents on cultural protection.