Yuanqiutan
China
Finally, you’ll reach the Circular Mound Altar, the most sacred spot for heaven-worshipping ceremonies. Step onto the Heavenly Heart Stone at the altar’s center — here, you can mimic Ming Dynasty emperors and “talk with heaven.” As you stand there, your guide will explain the deep Chinese beliefs tied to this site: the altar’s circular shape and layered design represent the heavens, while every detail (from the number of stone slabs to the placement of railings) follows the principles of “harmony between man and nature,” a core concept in traditional Chinese culture that emphasizes unity with the cosmos.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Yuanqiutan (Circular Mound Altar)
Welcome to Ywan-chyoo-tan, the Circular Mound Altar, perhaps the most spiritually significant site within the Temple of Heaven complex in Beijing. Built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty and later expanded in the Qing Dynasty, this…
Listen in the app2The Zhaoheng Gate: Entry into the Sacred
We begin our journey at the Jao-hung Gate, the main southern entrance to the Circular Mound complex. This triple-arched gate serves as a threshold, separating the profane world from the sacred ritual grounds. …
Listen in the app3The Triple-Tiered Terrace
Now, stand before the altar itself. It is a massive, three-tiered circular platform made entirely of white marble. …
Listen in the app4The Heart of Heaven Stone
Ascend to the very top tier and find the central stone, known as the 'Heart of Heaven Stone' (Tyan-shin-shuh). This single circular stone is the geometric center of the altar and, symbolically, the center of the universe in the…
Listen in the app5The Lingxing Gates and Enclosing Walls
Surrounding the altar are two sets of walls—an inner circular wall and an outer square wall. These walls are punctuated by the Ling-shing Gates, white marble portals that resemble the traditional Chinese 'Pai-lou' or decorative…
Listen in the app6The Lantern of the Great Void
To the southeast of the altar, you will see a tall pole known as the 'Lantern of the Great Void' (Wang-dung-gan). In the past, there were three of these poles, reaching a height of over thirty meters. …
Listen in the app7The Imperial Vault of Heaven (Nearby Context)
Although we are focusing on the altar, we must look briefly toward the north to the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the smaller circular building that housed the tablets of the heavenly deities when they were not in use at the altar.…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our exploration of Ywan-chyoo-tan, I invite you to take one last look at the sky from the center of the altar. Standing here, you are part of a lineage of observers who have sought to understand the relationship…
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What is Yuanqiutan?
Yuanqiutan is a place in China with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | China |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 39.8799, 116.4029 |
| Last updated |
