Sui-Tang Dynasty Heaven Altar Site
隋唐天坛遗址
The Sui-Tang round altar ruins beside Shaanxi Normal University. This four-tier circular earthen altar is more than a thousand years older than Beijing's Temple of Heaven and was where Tang emperors worshipped heaven.
The Sui-Tang Heaven Altar Site is on the south side of Shaanxi Normal University in Yanta District. It was the round altar of Sui-Tang Chang'an, where emperors offered sacrifices to heaven. Construction began in the tenth year of the Kaihuang era under Emperor Wen of Sui (590 CE), and it remained in use for more than 300 years. The remains are a four-tier circular rammed-earth altar about 8 meters high, roughly 1,000 years older than Beijing's Temple of Heaven. After excavation in 1999, it was protected and opened for display. Admission is free, and opening hours follow on-site announcements. It can be visited in the same area as the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Shaanxi History Museum.
Opening hours
About 09:00–17:00 (check on site)
Nearby sights
- Chang'an Twelve Hours Theme Block
- Giant Wild Goose Pagoda / Datang Everbright City
- Shaanxi History Museum
- Tang Paradise
- Daxingshan Temple
- Qujiang Pool Heritage Park
- Xi'an Qujiang Ocean Polar Park
- Small Wild Goose Pagoda & Xi'an Museum