Introduction to the Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven, a World Cultural Heritage site and a national key cultural relic, is located in the southern part of Beijing, to the east of Yongdingmen Inner Street in the Dongcheng District. The northern part of the altar is round, while the southern part is square, symbolizing "Heaven is round and Earth is square". It was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to Heaven and prayed for a bountiful harvest.
Architectural Features of the Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven's architectural design is rigorous, its shapes are beautiful, and its decorations are splendid, making it of high artistic value. The main buildings include the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Hall of Abstinence. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of the largest existing ancient wooden structures in China; the Circular Mound Altar is where the emperor offered sacrifices to Heaven, made of white marble, with a simple yet dignified design.
Scenery of the Temple of Heaven
