Temple of Heaven

Situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing, Temple of Heaven is a few kilometers southeast of Forbidden City, the dwelling for emperors. The temple, included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was first built in 1420 as a place for the emperors to worship heaven and pray for good harvest. Covering an area of 273 hectares, it is bigger than the Forbidden City since Chinese emperors dared not to build their own dwelling bigger than the dwelling for Heaven.

History

When it was first built in 1420, the emperor in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) named it Temple of Heaven and Earth to worship the heaven and earth for good harvest. In 1534, it was expanded and renamed Temple of Heaven to worship the heaven only. The temple we see today was renovated by Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) in the 18th century.

During the Second Opium War, the temple was occupied by the Anglo-French Alliance who swept away almost every piece of the precious articles. In 1918, the temple was turned into a park and for the first time open to the public. After China was founded, the temple was well protected and maintained and in 1998, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO.

Tour Guide

The Temple is divided into Inner Altar and Outer Altar by two enclosed walls in the shape of Chinese character “回”. The principle buildings are concentrated in the Inner Altar at the south and north ends of the middle axis, connected by a bridge named Red Step Bridge and flanked by century-old cypresses in a spacious area.

Most visitors enter the Temple of Heaven from south gate called Zhaoheng Gate. The principle buildings from south to north are respectively Circular Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven, Red Step Bridge and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.

Circular Altar

Circular Altar, built in 1530, is the place where emperors held ceremony on the day of the Winter Solstice every year to worship heaven. It is an empty circular platform with three terraces of white marble stones, each decorated by lavishly carved dragons. The center of the altar is a round slate where emperors kneeled to pray for favorable weather. The slate is enclosed with nine circles of sector-shaped stones and can echo when a visitor speaks loudly on it.

The numbers of the elements in the Circular Altar, including balusters and steps, are either nine (the largest single-digit odd number) or its nonuples indicating the heaven is the supreme. The Circular Altar is enclosed by double walls. The inner is round while the outer is square indicating the heaven is round and earth is square. To the southeast is the Kitchen for Sacrifice and Pavilion of Immolation.

Imperial Vault of Heaven

Heading north from the Circular Altar, visitors will find the octagonal Imperial Vault of Heaven. It is built on a single level of marble stone base to house the tablets of the emperor's ancestors, which would be used during winter solstice ceremonies. The roof of this building is decorated with blue glaze symbolizing the sky.

The wall enclosing the Imperial Vault of Heaven is called Echo Wall. If you make a whisper, it can travel clearly from to your friend's ear at the other end. Outside the gate of the Imperial Vault of Heaven is the Three Echo Stones, which can also echo when speaking on it.

Red Step Bridge

Passing through the Imperial Vault of Heaven, visitors find the Red Step Bridge (also Sacred Way). The bridge is 360 meters long, connecting the principal buildings in the south and north axis. To the west of the bridge and near the West Heaven Gate is the Abstinence Hall where the feudal emperors abstaining from eating meat before the ceremony.

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest

Located in the north end of the temple proper, the triple-eaved Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest built in 1420 is a big palace with round roof built on three levels of marble stone base. It is the place where emperors prayed for good harvests in the first month of spring. The building is completely wooden without nails. There are four inner, twelve middle and twelve outer pillars, representing the four seasons, twelve months and twelve traditional Chinese hours respectively.

The Long Corridor connects the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest with its accessory buildings such as Divine Kitchen and Butcher Pavilion.

The whole park is planted with many cypresses to create a quiet and solemn atmosphere. The Nine-Dragon Cypress has a history of more than 500 years. There are many souvenirs shops within the park. People can also find restaurants offering authentic Beijing snacks near the park. Accommodation is also very convenient.

How to Go to Temple of Heaven

By Bus: South Gate: Take Buses No 36, 53, 120, 122, 525, 610, 800, 803 or 958 and get off at Tiantan Nanmen.
East Gate: Take Buses No 6, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 43, 60, 116, 610, 707, 723, 743, 957, or 958 and get off at Tiantan Dongmen.
West Gate: Take Buses No 2, 7, 15, 17, 20, 69, 105, 707, 729, or 826 and get off at Tiantan Ximen
North Gate: Take Buses No 6, 34, 35, 36, 106, 110, 687, 707, or 743 and get off at Tiantan Beimen.
By Subway: Take Line 5 and get off at Tiantan Donemen. You’ll find the East Gate of Temple of Heaven by leaving from Exit A.