Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Name: Temple of Heaven
Address: Tiantan N Rd | 天坛东里甲1号, Beijing, 100050, China
Telephone: +86 10 6702 2617

#8 among attractions in Beijing

Unesco, Temple, Top attraction

Gallery (9)

Map

Gallery

Facts and practical information

The Temple of Heaven is a majestic architectural complex of religious buildings located in the southeastern part of central Beijing, China. Established in the early 15th century, it covers an area of about 2.73 square kilometers and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who was also responsible for the creation of the Forbidden City.

Designed for use by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Temple of Heaven was a place for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for a good harvest. The complex is a profound testament to Chinese beliefs in the cosmos and the earthly realm, as well as the rulers' divine right to govern.

The most notable structure within the Temple of Heaven is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, an iconic triple-gabled circular building, towering at 38 meters in height and 30 meters in diameter. It is supported by 28 pillars and surrounded by a square yard, symbolizing the Chinese concept of "heaven is round, earth is square." This hall was where the emperor would pray for bountiful harvests.

Another significant structure is the Imperial Vault of Heaven, a single-gabled circular building, where the gods' tablets were kept. It is encircled by the Echo Wall, which allows a whisper to travel clearly from one end to the other, demonstrating the remarkable acoustics of the site.

The complex is also home to the Circular Mound Altar, an outdoor altar located to the south of the main hall. This altar is composed of three tiered terraces with carved marble stones, where the emperor would offer sacrifices to Heaven on the day of the winter solstice.

Visitors to the Temple of Heaven can appreciate the philosophical and architectural significance of the site, as well as the tranquil parks that surround the temple structures. The park is a popular gathering place for local residents who engage in activities such as tai chi, dancing, and kite flying, especially in the early morning.

Local name: 天坛 Unesco: from 1998Area: 12.18 mi²Architectural style: Chinese architectureCoordinates: 39°52'56"N, 116°24'25"E

Address

Tiantan N Rd | 天坛东里甲1号崇文区曲 (chong wen qu qu)Beijing 100050 China

Contact

+86 10 6702 2617

Social media

Add

Beijing

Day trips

Temple of Heaven – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Beijing Museum of Natural History, Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, Circular Mound Altar, Zhengyangmen.

0.7 miW
Museum, Natural history museum
Beijing Museum of Natural History, Beijing
18 min walk • The Beijing Museum of Natural History is located at 126 Tian Qiao Nan Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, and is the most popular natural history museum in China.
1.3 miNW
Museum, History museum, Art museum
Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, Beijing
33 min walk • The Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall is an urban planning museum located at 20 Qianmen E St in the old main railway station building from 1903, beside Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China.
~280 ftW
Temple
Circular Mound Altar, Beijing
2 min walk • The Circular Mound Altar is an outdoor empty circular platform on three levels of marble stones, located in Beijing, China. It is part of the Temple of Heaven.
1.4 miNW
Historic gatehouse with a museum
Zhengyangmen, Beijing
37 min walk • Qianmen is the colloquial name for Zhengyangmen literally meaning "Gate of the Zenith Sun", is a gate in Beijing's historic city wall. The gate is situated to the south of Tiananmen Square and once guarded the southern entry into the Inner City.
0.8 miE
Sport, Sport venue
Beijing Gymnasium, Beijing
21 min walk • Beijing Gymnasium is an indoor arena located in Dongcheng District, Beijing, which consists of a main competition hall, a practice hall, and a swimming pool.
1.2 miNE
Neighbourhood
Chongwenmen, Khanbaliq
32 min walk • Chongwenmen was a gate that was part of Beijing's city wall in what is now Dongcheng District. The gate stood in the southeastern part of Beijing's inner city, immediately south of the old Beijing Legation Quarter. In the 1960s, the gate and much of the wall was torn down to make room for Beijing's second ring road.
1.1 miSW
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Xiannongtan Stadium, Beijing
29 min walk • Xiannongtan Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Beijing, China. It is located in Dongcheng District and is named after Xiannongtan, the Altar of Agriculture, located nearby. This stadium was built in 1936 and was named Beiping Public Stadium. It was renovated between November 1986 to September 1988.
1.2 miN
Tunnel
Underground City, Beijing
31 min walk • The Underground City is a Cold War era bomb shelter consisting of a network of tunnels located beneath Beijing, China. It has also been referred to as the Underground Great Wall since it was built for the purpose of military defense.