Explore the ancient beauty and cultural significance of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
Introduction
The Temple of Heaven is a complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. It is renowned for its architectural beauty and historical significance.
Location
The Temple of Heaven is located in the Dongcheng District of Beijing, easily accessible from various parts of the city.
History
The Temple of Heaven was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who also oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City. The temple complex was used by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest.
The temple complex was expanded and renovated during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor in the 16th century and again during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor in the 18th century. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.
Attractions
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests: The iconic triple-gabled circular building, used by emperors to pray for good harvests.
Imperial Vault of Heaven: A circular building surrounded by a smooth circular wall, famous for its Echo Wall.
Circular Mound Altar: An open-air altar platform where the emperor would worship Heaven during the winter solstice.
Seven Star Stones: A group of large stones with historical and cultural significance.
Ancient Cypress Trees: The garden areas of the complex are home to many ancient cypress trees, some over 600 years old.
Activities
Historical Tours
Cultural Performances
Photography
Guided Walks
Seasonal Festivals and Events
Facilities
Visitor Center
Restrooms
Gift Shops
Cafes and Restaurants
Parking Lots
Wheelchair Access
Visitor Tips
Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Bring water and snacks, especially if you plan to stay for several hours.
Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately.
Respect the cultural significance of the site; behave appropriately and follow all rules and guidelines.
South of the Forbidden City and Tian'AnMen Square in central BeiJing, the blue sky city, lies this amazing Taoist temple, set in an abundant area (now park) of trees and a great place to visit.
The wonderful architecture is brimming with symbolism and the park as a whole is a favorite for locals to hang out and practice Tai Chi or play JianZi (hacky sack), etc ...
The magnificent Temple of Heaven (TianTan) was constructed between 1406 and 1420 (Ming dynasty) during the reign of the emperor YongLe who also oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City.The Temple of Heaven was where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would offer sacrifices to heaven and pray for good harvests.
The temple complex was extended during the reign of emperor JiaJing during the 16th century (Ming dynasty). JiaJing also constructed three other key temples in Beijing : the Temple of the Sun in the east, the Temple of the Moon in the west, and the Temple of Earth in the north.
Emperor QianLong directed a renovation of the Temple of Heaven during the 18th century (Qing dynasty).
The architecture and layout of the Temple of Heaven is based on elaborate symbolism and numerology. One example is that the buildings and their settings reflect ancient Chinese religious beliefs that imagine heaven as round and earth as square.
Because the Temple of Heaven was to be the place representing Heaven on Earth, it needed to be larger than the Forbidden City; it covers approximately twice the area and is about 2 kilometers from north to south, the primary axis with three main structures; indeed, it is the largest group of constructions for worship in the world.
In 1998, the Temple of Heaven was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. In early 2005, the Temple of Heaven underwent a 47 million yuan (6 million USD) renovation that was completed on May 1st, 2006.
The Temple of Heaven is a delightful place to spend some time. Arrive in the early morning to watch the Tai Chi experts, although the park is lively all day and into the evening with kite flyers, musicians, singers, dancers and games players (from badminton to Chinese chess).
Includes TianAnMen Square, the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) and the Temple of Heaven.
Video by LimeWave.com, which has photos and videos for a number of places around the world.
Places include morning exercises at the Temple of Heaven, LiuLiChang Arts and Crafts Street, PanJiaYuan Market and LaoShe TeaHouse.
Videos by CCTV's Travelogue series.
