Top 3 Things To Do In Temple Of Heaven
Do you want to worship at the Temple of Heaven as the Chinese emperors did in ancient times? Ancient emperors regarded themselves as sons of God, so the emperor of the Ming Dynasty built the Temple of Heaven as the altar to both Earth and Heaven. Many travelers come there because they are curious how the altar could directly communicate with heaven. Also Temple of Heaven has a typical Chinese architecture when you travel to Beijing.
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is an iconic symbol of ancient China, known for its remarkable architecture and cultural significance. It is located in the southeastern part of central Beijing, within the Temple of Heaven Park, which spans an area of about 2.73 square kilometers. This historical complex was constructed during the Ming dynasty in 1420 and was used by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for ceremonies dedicated to heaven, primarily for praying for a good harvest.
Key Facts for Travelers
Location
The Temple of Heaven is situated in the Dongcheng District of Beijing, easily accessible by public transport. The nearest subway station is Tiantan Dongmen Station on Line 5, providing a convenient entry point for visitors.
Visiting Hours
The opening hours vary by season. Typically, the park opens around 6:00 AM and closes between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The ticketing times also vary, so it's advisable to check the current schedule before planning your visit.
Architecture and Sites
The complex is renowned for its circular sacred buildings, set in square parks, symbolizing the connection between heaven (circle) and earth (square). The most notable structures include:
- The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a magnificent triple-gabled circular building where the Emperor would pray for good harvests.
- The Imperial Vault of Heaven, a smaller circular building surrounded by the Echo Wall, is known for its acoustic phenomena.
- The Circular Mound Altar, an outdoor altar used for ceremonies during the winter solstice.
Cultural Significance
The Temple of Heaven is not only a masterpiece of architectural design but also a deep reflection of ancient Chinese cosmology and philosophy, embodying the civilization's quest for harmony between humans, earth, and the universe.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, recognized for its outstanding cultural significance to the common heritage of humanity.
Tips for Visitors
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning is the best time to visit to avoid crowds and witness local residents engaging in traditional exercises, such as Tai Chi.
- Guided Tours: Consider taking a guided tour to fully appreciate the historical context and architectural brilliance of the site.
- Photography: The Temple of Heaven is a photographer's paradise, especially during the early morning or late afternoon light.
The Echo Wall
The Echo Wall is the wall around the Imperial Vault of Heaven known in Chinese as 回音壁 (Huí Yīn Bì). It is about 3 m. (9 ft.) high and 193 m. (633 ft.) long and has three doors to the south. Circular Mound Altar (圜丘坛 Huán Qiū Tán) is designed more like Heaven: it's an outdoor circular platform on 3 levels. The number of platforms, altars, and pillars is 9 or multiples because the number 9 stands for God in China. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿 Qǐ Nián Diàn) is the place where emperors prayed for a great harvest. It's the biggest palace built on a circular platform on 3 levels, which is similar to the Circular Mound Altar except for the Chinese architecture.
The interesting thing about the Echo Wall is if someone speaks or sings at one side, then people who stand on the opposite side would hear very clearly. This so that anybody complaining would be heard by God. When you are present in the wall, do not forget to hear what the invisible person in the opposite side said. It will be a magic game when you and your partners stand in different sides to communicate.
The Circular Mound Altar
There is a special stone in the central of the Circular Mound Altar named Heart of Heaven, it is known as 天心石 (Tiān Xīn Shí) in Chinese. It's said that the voice of a person standing on the stone sounds rather resonant. Because of this reason, Chinese ancients regard it as God's way of announcing things. You should have a try on the stone and listen to how sonorous you sound.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
Visitors may be interested in The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests' meaningful architectural structure. You won't believe that the palace only used timber to finish. It's easy to find that the triple eaves cover different three colors: blue, yellow, and green from top to bottom, which stands for heaven, earth, and humans. Because of the Chinese architecture related to prayers for good harvest, the 4 inner pillars stand for 4 seasons and the 12 outer pillars mean 12 months in one year. The special thing is that the pillars and stairs of the platform's structure are number nine's multiples, which stands for God in Chinese.
When you travel to Beijing, any season would be good to travel to Temple of Heaven. If you want to join the senior citizens doing exercise or dancing in there, you should arrive early in the morning. This is an usual sightseeing when you travel to Beijing. You are suggested to wear comfortable shoes as there is lots of walking to do. If you are interested in the Temple of Heaven and want to see more about Chinese architecture, please click on WindhorseTour's Beijing 5 day Adventure for Active Travelers.
When visiting the Temple of Heaven, please respect the cultural and historical significance of the site. It is more than just a tourist attraction; it's a place where you can connect with the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Chinese culture.