Temple of Heaven
天坛 · Tiantan Subdistrict
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Temple of Heaven1:43
Welcome to the Temple of Heaven, a site where the sacred and the philosophical are rendered in stone and timber. Built between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor—the same Ming ruler who commissioned the…
Listen in the app2The South Gate and Ancient Cypresses1:37
We begin our journey at the South Gate, also known as the Zhaoheng Gate. Its name is derived from the Book of Changes, specifically the Qian Hexagram, symbolizing the four virtues of 'origin, smoothness, benefit, and…
Listen in the app3The Circular Mound Altar1:35
Standing before the Circular Mound Altar, we encounter the true heart of the sacrificial ceremonies. This is an open-air, three-tiered marble platform, notably lacking a roof or walls. …
Listen in the app4The Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Echo Wall1:29
Just north of the Circular Mound Altar lies the Imperial Vault of Heaven, a stunning circular building with a pointed blue-tiled roof. This structure served as the 'sacred storehouse' where the spirit tablets of the supreme…
Listen in the app5The Danbi Bridge — Pathway to the Sky1:27
Connecting the southern ritual sites with the northern Hall of Prayer is the Danbi Bridge, a 360-meter long raised causeway. While called a 'bridge,' it is actually a majestic 4-meter high brick and stone walkway that gradually…
Listen in the app6The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests1:41
We have arrived at the most iconic structure in Beijing: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. This massive, triple-eaved circular wooden building sits atop a triple-tiered white marble terrace, a perfect architectural…
Listen in the app7The Palace of Abstinence and the Double-Ring Pavilion1:34
To the west of the main axis lies a more somber and quiet area: the Palace of Abstinence (Zhai Gong). This is where the emperor would stay for several days before a major ceremony, engaging in fasting, meditation, and ritual…
Listen in the app8Closing1:35
As we conclude our tour of the Temple of Heaven, we are left with a profound sense of the ancient Chinese world-view. This site was far more than a collection of beautiful buildings; it was a physical manifestation of a…
Listen in the app
What is Temple of Heaven?
Temple of Heaven is a place in Tiantan Subdistrict with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Tiantan Subdistrict |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 12 min 41 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 39.8822, 116.4066 |
| Last updated |
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