Beijing Temple of Heaven Park Travel Guide

Dongcheng Area

Scenic spot introduction:

The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is not only the most exquisite and beautiful ancient building complex in my country, but also the largest ancient building complex for worshipping heaven in the world, with its rigorous architectural layout, unique architectural structure and magnificent architectural decoration. The Temple of Heaven was first built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420). It was a special altar for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship heaven, pray for rain and pray for a good harvest.
According to historical records, there were formal activities of offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, which can be traced back to the Xia Dynasty, which was still a slave society, in 2000 BC. Ancient Chinese emperors called themselves "Sons of Heaven" and they had great respect for heaven and earth. The Temple of Heaven was built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420) in the style of the Temple of Heaven and Earth in Nanjing. The ceremony was held in the Great Sacrifice Hall.
The Temple of Heaven is Circular Mound The altar is a general term for the two altars of Qigu, which have two layers of altar walls, forming an inner and outer altar. The altar wall is round in the south and square in the north, symbolizing the roundness of the sky and the squareness of the earth.

Attractions distribution:

Temple of Heaven Park has Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests , Circular Mound , Imperial Vault of Heaven , Saigū , Kagura Office , Inner altar plants , Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony Hall , Heavenly Sacrifice Music and Dance Hall , Huangqian Palace , Prayer Altar , Danbi Bridge , Seventy-two Corridors , Lantern , From the furnace , Coordinated burning furnace , Wood burning stove , Whispering Gallery , Imperial Vault of Heaven West Side Hall , Imperial Vault of Heaven East Side Hall , Shichen Pavilion , Bronze Man Pavilion , Bell Tower , Beamless Hall , Nanshen Kitchen , Xianyou Hall , Ningxi Palace wait.

Scenic spot qualifications:

National 5A scenic spot, world cultural heritage

Scenic spot features:

Nostalgia, culture, ancient buildings, royal gardens, historical sites

Scenic spot map:

Scenic spot map

Transportation

Scenic spot location:

China > Beijing > Dongcheng District

How to get there:

Bus route: Take bus No. 36, No. 120, No. 958, No. 12, No. 102, etc. and get off at Tiantan South Gate Station.

Driving route: Take Qinian Street, Tiantan Road, etc. in the city.

Scenic area map:

Click to expand the scenic area map

Tickets

Temple of Heaven Ticket Prices:

Peak season (April 1st to October 31st): combined ticket 35 yuan/person, entrance ticket 15 yuan/person;

Off-season (November 1st to March 31st of the following year): combo ticket 30 yuan/person, entrance ticket 10 yuan/person;

(Combined ticket includes Temple of Heaven, Saigū and Kagura Office ）

Scenic area opening hours:

Main Gate 6:00-22:00

Internal attractions 8:00-17:30

Travel Tips

Travel Notes of Travellers:

Travel Guide: Beijing Three-Day Travel Guide 2017

Tour route:

1. Half-hour route plan

Park North Gate→ Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests → Return to the north gate.

South Gate of the Park → Circular Mound → Whispering Gallery → Return to the South Gate.

2. One-hour route plan

South Gate of the Park → Circular Mound → Whispering Gallery → Kowloon Cypress→ Danbi Bridge → Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests → Exit the north gate.

Park North Gate→ Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests → Danbi Bridge → Kowloon Cypress→ Whispering Gallery → Circular Mound → Exit the South Gate.

Park East Gate → Promenade → Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests → Danbi Bridge → Whispering Gallery → Circular Mound → Exit the South Gate.

Park West Gate → Saigū → Kagura Office → Return to the west gate.

Best time to visit:

All seasons

Shopping recommendations:

(Specialties) Cloisonné, lacquer carving, Wang Mazi scissors, Erguotou, etc.

(Gourmet food) Palace cheese, roast duck, noodles with soybean paste, stir-fried tripe, shabu-shabu mutton, stewed pork, etc.