Temple of Heaven
I went to the Temple of Heaven on Monday. This group of structures was first constructed nearly 600 years ago and expanded and renovated subsequently. It is the place where the emperors went to pray for good harvests. These days it is a tourist attraction and a place for locals to relax.
The Altar of Heaven where emperors worshipped at the winter solstice. It consists of a marble floor atop 3 levels of marble balustrades and surrounded by a low wall. The number and arrangement of the marble pavers was significant.
The Imperial Vault of Heaven where the emperors ancestral tablets used to reside. There were two temples on either side of the circle.
A section of the interior. The complex underwent renovations which finished a couple of years ago.
The echo wall with a circumference of 193 metres around the Imperial Vault of Heaven. A sound made at one end is reported to be heard at the other end.
Elevated path which the emperor and his retinue walked between areas of worship.
Seating and path through the park. It is well covered with cypresses, many being hundreds of years old.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. It and the Vault of Heaven have rooves of blue tiles signifying their relationship with heaven.
Interior. No nails were used in its construction and the placement and number of columns is symbolic.
This is known as the Long Corridor and when I walked past it about half an hour later it was thronged with people socialising.
This was one of several middle aged groups exercising in the park. They are playing jianzi, a game where the aim is to keep a small weighted feather object in the air using feet only.
One of the additional walls and buildings within the park. There were many although basically it was an extremely large park containing little but trees.
Location of the Temple of Heaven and my route there. Once in the park I did deviate from the main north south axis but didn’t find too much to see apart from a few buildings, rocks and individuals exercising in out of the way corners.
