Temple of Heaven

天坛公园

Where Ming and Qing emperors offered sacrifices to heaven and prayed for good harvests. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with its triple-tiered blue-tiled roof, is a symbol of Beijing and a favorite morning exercise ground for locals.

The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420. It covers 2.73 million square meters, four times the size of the Forbidden City, and is the largest surviving ancient sacrificial complex in China. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1998. The core buildings line up along a north–south axis. At the south end is the Circular Mound Altar, a three-tiered white marble round platform with the Heavenly Heart Stone at its center. Next is the Imperial Vault of Heaven, known for the Echo Wall and the Three-Sound Stone. A 360-meter raised walkway, the Danbi Bridge, leads north to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. This triple-eaved round hall is 32 meters in diameter and 38 meters tall. It was built without a single large beam and is supported entirely by 28 nanmu pillars. Four Dragon Well Pillars symbolize the four seasons, 12 gold pillars represent the twelve months, and 12 eave pillars represent the twelve periods of the day. On the west side are the Fasting Palace and the Music Office. Park admission is RMB 15 in peak season and RMB 10 off-season. The combined ticket, which includes the Hall of Prayer, the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar, costs RMB 34 in peak season and RMB 28 off-season, and can be bought on site by scanning a QR code. Take Metro Line 5 to Temple of Heaven East Gate station, Exit A, for the East Gate, or Line 8 to Tianqiao station for the West Gate. Arrive before 8 a.m. to see the ancient cypress trees and the locals practicing tai chi, spinning diabolo and singing in groups, which is more lively than the sights themselves. Near the East Gate, you can conveniently stop for douzhi (fermented mung bean drink) from Old Ciqikou or pearls at Hongqiao Market.

Temple of Heaven

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby