



The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park) 天坛公园
The original function of Temple of Heaven was to provide a place for the emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties to pray for rain and a good harvest. The emperor came to the Temple of Heaven twice a year to pray. The first time was to pray for rain and good harvest and the second was to worship God by offering sacrifice. The first time was the 15th of the first month of the Chinese Lunar year (usually between January 20 to February 20). Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (Qi Nian Dian) 祈年殿 was where the final rite took place. Built in 1420, it is 38 meters high and 32.72 in diameters. The style of the architecture bore ancient Chinese philosophy which was that the Heaven dominated the world.
The emperor arrived at the Temple of Heaven from the Forbidden City one day before the rite. He first burned some joss sticks in the Imperial Vault of Heaven ( Huang Qiong Yu) 皇穹宇 and then had the name cards of the divinities moved to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. After that he went to the imperial kitchen to check if all the sacrifice for the rite were prepared. Next morning, the rite began at four o’clock. The emperor went out of Hall of Abstinence to Ju Fu Tai where the emperor dressed up. Then he was accompanied by the ministers and relatives to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The emperor fell on his knees and kowtowed nine times to the name cards of the divinities. At this time, the Fan Chai Stoves beside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests were burned. Music was a must. The band started to play music while dancers were dancing.
The second time of the year for pray was on the midwinter day (December 22). This time was to worship God by offering sacrifice. The rite took place on the Round Mound Altar (Huan Qiu Tan) 圜丘坛. During the days of rite, the emperor strictly abstained from many things. No meat, no alcohol, no entertainment, no condolence, no politics and no concubines.
Some other sites such as Bridge of Vermilion Stairway (Dan Bi Qiao) 丹陛桥, Gong Quan Ding 拱券顶, Butcher Pavilion (Zai Sheng Ting) 宰牲亭 and Long Corridor (Chang Lang) 长廊are also the attached facilities for the rite.
Echo Wall (Hui Yin Bi) 回音壁. It is the surrounding wall of the Imperial Vault of Heaven. It is 193.2 meters around, 0.9 meter thick and 61.5 meters in diameter. If somebody whispers on one side of the wall, the voice travels along the wall and will be heard at the other end. The acoustics were used in ancient Chinese architecture.
Hours: 08:30 - 17:00
Admission: 5 yuan ($0.6) for entrance and 20 yuan ($2.5) for the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Imperial Vault of Heaven.
How to go: 15 minutes walk from the hotel.
Bus from the hotel: No. 2, 17, 54, 803 and pay 1 Yuan (2 stops)
Tips
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Imperial Vault of Heaven are closed at 17:00. There won’t be enough time for you if you enter after 16:00.