Temple of Heaven Day Tours Guide

Temple of Heaven

Tour Code : C1703

Type : Historic sites

City / Province : Beijing

Built in : 1420

Highlights

Temple of Heaven is the largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China's ancient sacrificial buildings. It has been listed as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest.

Introduction
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FAQ

Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is located in the Chongwen district in the southern part of Beijing. It was built in 1420 during a time when many other important buildings were constructed in Beijing. Tiantan served as a place of ceremonies and rituals for the Ming and Qing emperors.

　　The Palace of Abstinence is located near the western entrance of the temple. Before each ceremony, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held a three-day fasting period during summer and winter festivals. The emperors spent two days fasting in the Forbidden City and completed the last day of fasting in the Palace of Abstinence.

　　South of the Echo wall stands the Altar of Heaven, built entirely of white marble. The altar has four entrances and a flight of nine steps leading down in every direction. At the center of the upper terrace lies a round stone surrounded by nine concentric rings of stones.

Temple of Heaven 　　

Even the numbers of the carved balustrades on these terraces are also multiples of nine. When you stand in the center of the upper terrace and speak in a low voice, your voice will echo back much louder to yourself than to others, as the sound waves are reflected back by the marble balustrades to the focal point at the center.

　　The main building in the compound is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The entire structure was joint by wooden bars, laths and brackets, without using steel and concrete. The four large pillars in the center are known as the Dragon Well Pillars with each pillar representing one of the four seasons.

Temple of Heaven tour experience the sacred past of the capital

Temple of Heaven is a place of worshipping for Ming and Qing emperors.

Take a tour to explore the hall of prayer, the dragon walls and the stunning greenery around the temple. Enjoy the play of colors and of number 9. Book your tour to learn more! 　　

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