Temple of Heaven 天坛Tiāntán

Where emperors prayed for harvests, and where Beijing now dances, sings and plays cards

Best time: Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Time needed: 2–3 hours
Days to budget: Half a day
Stay in: Beijing
Region: Beijing
Type: Culture
Listed as: 5A scenic area, National heritage site, UNESCO World Heritage

Why go to Temple of Heaven

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, three tiers of blue-tiled roof on a white marble base, is one of the most recognisable buildings in China. The cypress-shaded park around it, several times the size of the Forbidden City, is at its best in the early morning, when locals gather for tai chi, ballroom dancing, choir practice and games of cards and Chinese chess.

The story

Ming and Qing emperors came here at the winter solstice to offer sacrifices to Heaven at the Circular Mound Altar. The layout follows the ancient idea that heaven is round and earth is square: the key altars and halls are circular, and the outer wall curves at its northern end but is squared off at the south.

What to see at Temple of Heaven

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests 祈年殿: The round, triple-roofed hall, about 38 metres high, is supported by 28 pillars arranged to stand for the seasons, months and hours; the present building was rebuilt after a lightning fire in 1889.
Danbi Bridge 丹陛桥: A raised brick causeway about 360 metres long, running between the Hall of Prayer and the southern altars and shaded by old cypresses.
Imperial Vault of Heaven and Echo Wall 皇穹宇·回音壁: A small round hall that stored the tablets used in the rites, ringed by a smooth circular wall. Just in front are the Three Echo Stones, where clapping on each stone returns one, two or three echoes.
Circular Mound Altar 圜丘: A three-tier round marble platform where the emperor made the winter solstice sacrifice; its slabs, steps and balustrades come in nines or multiples of nine.
Hall of Abstinence 斋宫: The moated compound where the emperor fasted and prepared before the rites, set in the west of the park.

How to visit Temple of Heaven

From the East Gate on Metro Line 5, walk straight to the Hall of Prayer, cross the Danbi Bridge south to the Imperial Vault and Echo Wall, then to the Circular Mound Altar, and leave by the South or West Gate. The main halls and altars have their own opening hours, shorter than the park's, and the city's official park guide lists them as closed on Mondays except public holidays. Two to three hours covers the central axis; add the Hall of Abstinence and the Divine Music Administration for a fuller morning.

How to get to Temple of Heaven

Metro Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen stops right at the park's east gate, about 15 minutes by taxi from Tian'anmen.

Where to stay

Base yourself in the south of Dongcheng around Qianmen and Tiantan, where Metro Line 5 stops at the park's east gate and Line 8 serves the west side. It keeps you within easy reach of the park at opening time and of the old-city sights to the north.

What to eat

Chaogan 炒肝: A thick, savoury stew of pork liver and intestines, a classic old-Beijing snack.
Luzhu huoshao 卤煮火烧: Baked wheat pancakes stewed with pork offal in a rich broth, one of Beijing's best-known street foods.

Tips for visiting Temple of Heaven

Go soon after the gates open to catch the morning exercise crowds.
Buy the combined ticket; basic park entry doesn't include the main halls and altars.
Try the Echo Wall: whisper close to it and a friend on the far side may hear you, crowds permitting.

Nearby

Qianmen Street and Dashilar 前门大街·大栅栏 under 10 km
A pedestrian avenue below Qianmen gate and a lane of shops trading since Qing times
National Museum of China 中国国家博物馆 under 10 km
Ancient bronzes, jades and porcelain in a vast museum beside Tian'anmen Square
Tiananmen Square 天安门广场 under 10 km
A vast ceremonial square below Tian'anmen gate, where the national flag is raised at dawn
Forbidden City 故宫 under 10 km
Six centuries of imperial power behind vermilion walls in the heart of Beijing
Beihai Park 北海公园 under 10 km
A former imperial lake garden crowned by a white Tibetan-style stupa on its island
Prince Gong's Mansion 恭王府 under 10 km
A Qing courtyard mansion and rock garden, home first to a corrupt minister, then a prince

Also within 30 km: Temple of Agriculture 先农坛 (under 10 km), Asbury Church (Chongwenmen Church) 亚斯立堂 (under 10 km), Peking Legation Quarter (Dongjiaominxiang) 东交民巷 (under 10 km), Huguang Guild Hall 湖广会馆 (under 10 km), Longtan Park 龙潭公园 (under 10 km), Beijing railway station 北京站 (under 10 km).

Trips with Temple of Heaven

China in 10 days on a first visit: Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Suzhou 10 days · Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Suzhou
Two weeks in China: Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guilin and Shanghai 14 days · Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Leshan, Guilin and Shanghai

On the map

Open Temple of Heaven on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Open Temple of Heaven on the map