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TEMPLE OF HEAVEN


In the southeast of the Southern Gate of Beijing (the Zheng Yang Gate) lies an extensive ancien garden, the Temple of Heaven ( Tiantan), the place where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, every winter solstice, would worship Heaven and pray for bumper harvests. Entrance: South Gate, Yongdingmen Dajie (Chongwen District) Daily: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Price: Y15 - Y35 By Subway: Line 5 : Tiantandongmen (East Heaven Gate entrance)
This garden of unique charm, with an history of 580 years, covers an area of 273 hectares and it was built in accordance with a pattern symbol of an ancient belief that Heaven was round and the Earth square: the northern part of the outer surrounding wall is semi-circular in shape while the southern part is square. Temple of Heaven complex, magnificent masterpiece of architecture of the ancient culture of the Orient, true to its sacred purpose reflects the mystical cosmological laws believed to be central to the workings of the universe. For example the slabs that form the Circular Altar have been laid in multiples of nine, which was considered to be the most powerful digit. Similarly within the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the interior twenty-eight columns are divided into four central pillars to represent the seasons, twelve inner columns to represent the months and twelve outer columns to represent the two-hour tranches that make up a day. Hence, complex numerological permutations operate within its design etc. The main buildings where the Great Hall for Dasidian (Sacrificial Rituals) : the Altar of Praying for Bumper Harvests, a circular building with a connected altar and hall. The Imperial Vault of Heaven, located to the north of the Circular Mound, the place where spirit tablets are placed and enshrined. The Circular Mound, laid in multiples of nine, symbol of infinity and extremity, figure which represents Heaven. The Divine Music Office,situated in the western outer altar, it was the place used for the rehearsal of the music for the ceremony during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Abstinence Hall ( Zhaigong Place) is situated in the southwestern corner of the Altar of Praying for a Bumper Harvest and it was used for the emperors before ceremonies to worship Heaven. The South Divine Kitchen, situated to the east of the Circular Mound served to prepare The Sacrifices for the ceremony at the winter solstice. A Long Corridor (with 72 compartments) from the East Brick Gate to the pavilion in the northwest connects the Altar of Praying for Bumper Harvests, its Divine Kitchen, the Divine Depot and the Well Pavilion. The Red Stairway Bridge (360m long, 30m wide), the corridor connecting the South Brick Gate of the Altar of Praying for a Bumper Harvest to the South Celestial Gate (Chengzhen Gate), and serves as the axis of the Altar of Praying for a Bumper Harvest and the Circular Mound. Let’s walk along the path of this magnificent masterpiece of China’s ancient architecture and go into the Temple of Heaven!

Written by Beijing Apartments Team, May 2008

BEIJING APARTMENTS: Beijing City Guide