Covering a total area of 273 hectares, the Temple of Heaven was a place for the Ming and Qing emperors to “worship God” and “pray for good harvests” in the downtown area outside of Zhengyangmen. It is round in the north and square in the south, reflecting an ancient Chinese belief that “heaven is round and earth is square.” Two rounds of altar wall around the temple divide it into two parts with the inner altar containing most of the buildings.
To elaborate, a wall splits the inner altar into two sections. The northern part is the Altar of Prayer for Grain, used in spring to pray for a year of good harvests. The center here is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. The southern section houses the Circular Mound Altar, serving as the location on the winter solstice. The main building is a giant round stone platform called the Circular Mound. Measuring 360 m in length, the paved path above ground known as Dan Bi Bridge connects the two altars. All the constructions mentioned above form a 1,200 m long axis with ancient cypresses lining each side.
Inside Xitianmen, the Hall of Abstinence was built to the south for emperors to live in before praying. The exterior altar area includes the Office of Divine Music, the department in charge of teaching dance and performing during the worship ceremonies. The major attractions in the Temple of Heaven are as follows: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Hall of Imperial Zenith, the Circular Mound Altar, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the Hall of Abstinence, the Wanshou Pavilion, and the Echo Wall.
The construction of the Temple of Heaven began in 1420 (Emperor Yongle’s 18th year, Ming Dynasty). After that, the magnificent temple was enlarged and renovated by Ming Emperor Jiajing and Qing Emperor Qianlong. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the government devoted funds to protecting and maintaining the antiques in the Temple of Heaven. Its rich cultural connections and distinct architectural style make this weather-beaten temple a symbol of ancient Eastern culture.
Being the largest as well as the oldest architectural complex in the world, the Temple of Heaven was designated an important heritage site under state protection in 1961 and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1998.
The Temple of Heaven Attractions:
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest
The Circular Mound Altar and The Echo Wall
The Temple of Heaven Story:
1. Guxi Gate (meaning: Gate of the Septuagenarian)
Guxi Gate stands at the south-west corner in the Hall of Imperial Zenith. In the 46th year of Qing Emperor Qianlong’s reign, the emperor was already aged over 70. The elaborate formalities of worship ceremonies were taking their toll on his strength. To shorten the trip to the Hall of Imperial Zenith, the place was relocated to just outside the west wall of the hall. The emperor provided an explanation of his action in an imperial edict: “Since ascending the throne 46 years ago, I have always participated in the worship ceremony in person every time. Thanks to God, I have been blessed with a long life-span of over 70 years. However, I am no longer quite as strong as before; the trip to the Hall of Imperial Zenith fatigues me. In addition, I do not intend to allow my ministers assume the duty for me. Therefore, I hereby declare that the place of worship be moved to the outside of the hall’s west wall for convenience’s sake. If my descendants are also granted by God a long life like my own, they may also follow my example.” And so, the name of Guxi Gate comes from this story of the old emperor.
2. Huajia Gate (meaning: Gate of the Sexagenarian)
Huajia Gate refers to a door to the west of Dan Bi Bridge, located outside the South Brick Door of The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. Legend has it that when Qing Emperor Qianlong came to the Temple of Heaven to pray when he was sixty years old, he did not dismount the imperial carriage until he reached this gate so as to spare himself the walk. After that, he went to the Hall of Imperial Zenith and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest to finish the worship process by burning incense and using other sacrificial tools. Huajia Gate came into existence for this reason.
3. Nine-dragon Cypress
This Nine-dragon Cypress is over 500 years old. With a gigantic straight trunk, the tree is famous for its deep ridged bark, distinguishing it from other old cypresses. The bark of the trunk is strangely full of rivulets, intertwined like nine dragons flying around the cypress. It is the symbol of “nine dragons welcoming God.” People say this old cypress by the road was waiting for the emperor to pass by, but now it is here to welcome visitors from all over the world.
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