The Temple of Heaven
Tiantan, The Temple of Heaven, built in 1420, is China's most famous temple and is situated in a 667 acre park enclosed by a wall. The Principal buildings are located at either end of the Cinnabar Stairway Bridge. Qiniandian (Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests) is to the north and was built in 1890 a year after the original structure was destroyed by lightning. It was here that the emperor came to pray for a good harvest during the first lunar month each year. At the other end of the causeway is the Huangqiongyu (Imperial Vault of Heaven), storehouse for the spirit tablets of the Supreme Ruler of Heaven. Today the Temple of Heaven Park is a place where Beijing citizens congregate to exercise, talk, play games, play music and just get out in the open air.
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
Dragon relief ramp
Walkway and gate to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
Looking back at the gate from the steps of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
Building eave tiles. Eave tiles are fixed at the end of roof rafters for decoration and to protect them from the elements. More than 400 examples of eave tiles are displayed in the Beijing Museum of Ancient Ceramic Civilization.
Looking toward the Imperial Vault of Heaven
Looking down from the Circular Mound Altar
The Imperial Vault of Heaven
Interior of Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests looking up
Cow Statue seen from the Cicular Mound Altar
One of the long halls seen to the left and right in the above photo
Imperial Vault of Heaven Interior Decoration
Gateway to the Circular Mound Altar (in background)
Temple of Heaven Corridor Decoration
Ancient Type Instrument (erhu) being played at Temple of Heaven Park
Circular Mound Altar seen from the plaza
