One of the highlights of my 2019’s trip to Beijing was The Temple of Heaven. Most important of Beijing’s imperial temples.

Originally called the Temple of Heaven and Earth, it was built from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of Emperor Yongle, who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City. The temple was enlarged and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of Emperor Jiajing in the sixteenth century.

At that time, the Temple of Heaven was crowded and noisy. It was so difficult to take a photo here.

The Temple of Heaven, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

The Temple of Heaven is an axial arrangement of Circular Mound Altar to the south open to the sky with the conically roofed Imperial Vault of Heaven immediately to its north. This is linked by a raised sacred way to the circular, three-tiered, conically roofed Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests further to the north.

Inside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. (all made of wood)

Temple of Heaven’s surrounding park is quite extensive. Also, it is the largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China’s ancient sacrificial buildings.

Hope you like my post. Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Stay safe and take care!