The Temple of Heaven is an historic and sprawling complex located in southern Beijing. It was first built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty. Lying south of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the park circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests has become as much a symbol of the city as any celebrated landmark in the world. The Temple of Heaven was a sacred place in the minds of the ancient Chinese people. They believed that it was the place to convey wishes to heaven.The crowning glory of the park, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was also first built in 1420. It is a cone-shaped wooden structure with triple eaves and a gilded ball on the top, a symbol of the supreme power of the emperor. The roof of the building is covered with dark blue glazed tiles to represent the colour of the sky. This special Chinese style building is splendid in its external appearance, but its inner frame is also distinctive. The circular wooden structure is wholly make of wood without the use of a single nail or cement. The entire structure is supported by 28 massive wooden pillars, which symbolize 28 constellations in the sky.
In 1998, it was listed as a UNESCO world Cultural Heritage Site.
Address: A1, Tiantan Beilu, Chongwen District
Time: 6 a.m - 8 p.m
Ticket: 15 yuan (April 1- October 31)
Ticket: 10 yuan (November -1 March 31)
Transport: take Subway Line 2 and get off at Chongwen Station, then take a taxi for 10 yuan.

The spots in the Temple of Heaven

Sacred Way: The 360-m-long Vermilion Steps Bridge, or the Sacred Way, running between the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Imperial Vault of Heaven. In its heyday, the central path was reserved for divine gods while the east and the west paths were for the emperor and the court officials, respectively.
Abstinence Palace: The main function of this hall was for the emperor to stay and fast before the sacrificial ceremony.
Imperial Vault of Heaven: This vault was built to house wooden worship tablets. Surrounded by the Echo Wall, the wood structure stands 19.5 m high with a large vault beneath. Support for the impressively beautiful roof is in the form of entwined brackets - a real architectural feat.
Echo Wall: Position yourself at on end of the 193.2-m-long, speak, and your voice will be heard by your friend at the other end. Chinese whispers? See for yourself!
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests: Without a single nail, cement or steel rod, this 38-m-high hall is surely an architectural masterpiece. The symbol of the Temple of Heaven, it was for Ming and Qing emperors to pray for a good harvest in the following year. Its cobalt-blue roof symbolizes Heaven.

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