Introduction

The Temple of Heaven was the place where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would worship Heaven and pray for bumper crops. The northern part of the outer surrounding wall is semi-circular in shape while the southern part square, a pattern symbolic of the ancient belief that Heaven was round and the earth square. The double surrounding wall separates the temple into two parts—the inner and outer temples with the main structures in the inner one. The whole temple covers a space of 273 hectares in all.

 Temple of Heaven [Photo via tuchong.com]

Built first in 1420(the 18th year of Emperor Yongle's reign of the Ming Dynasty), and then expanded and reconstructed during the Ming Emperor Jiajing's reign and Qing Emperor Qianlong's reign, the Temple of Heaven is a grand and magnificent masterpiece of architecture with a formal and solemn environment. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the government has allotted a great sum of money to protect and restore the cultural monuments there. The Temple of Heaven with its long history, deep cultural content, and magnificent architectural style mirrors the ancient culture of the Orient.

A masterpiece of the Ming and Qing architectural art and a precious example of China's ancient architecture, the Temple of Heaven is the largest architectural group for worshipping Heaven in the world.

Bus: No.6,34,35,36,72,106,110 near the north gate.

No.2,20,36,53,120 near the west gate.

No.36,53,62,122,525,958 near the south gate.

No.6,34,35,36,39,41,43,60,72,684 near the east gate.

As well as Beijing Subway Line 5 near the east gate, Line 8 near the west gate.

Opening Hours:

1. Working hours at the four entrances:

From April 1 to October 31: 6:00-21:00.

From November 1 to March 31of the coming year: 6:30-20:00.

2. Working hours at the scenic spots:

A. The Hall of Prayer for a Good Harvest, the Echo Wall, the Circular Mount Altar, the Divine Music Administration:

From April 1 to October 31: 8:00-17:30

From November 1 to March 31 of the coming year: 8:00-17:00

B. The North Divine Kitchen, the North Divine Slaughterhouse, the Fasting Palace: 9:00-16:00

C. All of the scenic spots closed every Monday.

 Temple of Heaven [Photo via tuchong.com]

Tips

Electronic Guide

1. Locations: At the four entrances of the park;

2. Working hours: 08:00 - 17:00

3. Languages available: Chinese, Cantonese, English, Japanese, Korean, French, Germany and Spanish;

4. Charges:
A. For Chinese language, a deposit of CNY 100 will be collected from visitors and it will be refunded to them after the device is returned and a rental of  CNY 10 should be paid;
B. For other languages, a deposit of CNY 100 will be collected from visitors and it will be refunded to them after the device is returned and a rental of  CNY 40 should be paid.