The Temple of Heaven Beijing is the 2nd Most Important SiteThe Temple of Heaven Beijing is bigger in size and grandeur than the Forbidden City (which is another must see), and even the Emperor's Summer Palace. Only the Great Wall of China is higher on most people's lists when they travel to Beijing. Why Bother With The Temple of Heaven, Beijing?The Temple of Heaven was built to act as a telephone through which mortal man could beg good fortune from the Heavens. The Chinese Emperor used the Temple of Heaven to personally ask for the blessing of a good harvest or even to put an end to a lengthy drought. Not even the Emperor was more important than the Guardians of the Heavens and thus the Temple of Heaven was built to outshine any other structure in Beijing. The Grounds around the Temple also have a lot to offer. The Cypress Grove that surrounds the complex consists of more than 3000 Cypress trees. The oldest of the trees is estimated to be more than 600 years old. Take a peaceful walk through the Grounds and even bring along a packed lunch. It's a very beautiful place and many people find this a nice break from the bustling city outside the walls. The Temple was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1998. Where is the Temple of Heaven, Beijing?
The Temple is located in Tianqiao, Chongwen District in the South-Eastern part of Urban Beijing. Admission Fees: ¥30CNY (From Nov. 1 to Mar. 31) How Can We Get to the Temple of Heaven, Beijing?Bus:The Buses are the cheapest way to get to the Temple but for that very same reason, they can also be the most unreliable way to get around. Many of the buses in Beijing run past the Temple Of Heaven. Look for bus numbers 2, 6, 17, 34, 35, 110, 120, 122, 610, 707, 721 and 739. Most of the bus routes are marked on the Beijing City maps available in any hotel lobby or restaurant frequented by foreigners.
Subway:The Beijing Subway is faster, easier to navigate and more convenient than the Bus but at a slightly higher cost. Watch out for the mad dash of rush-hour and try to avoid it if you can. Take the Subway to the Temple of Heaven, Beijing. Just get off the Subway at 'Tiantan Dongmen' Subway Station on Line 5. Follow the signs out of the station that direct you to the East Gate of the Temple of Heaven, Beijing. The Best Way:Take a good Beijing budget tour. A good one usually includes stops at The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace as well as the Temple of Heaven Beijing. The best tours for under $60USD include...
This tour takes care of all your transportation needs. You can relax from the very beginning of the trip (The footsteps of your Hotel) until they drop you back at your hotel again. You won't have to worry about chasing down buses or cramming yourself into the Beijing Subway.
I thought the Guide would be a burden but he gave me relevant information about the places we were visiting that day. He knew where the best angles were for taking photographs and how to get around the crowds. Then he just left us alone with a return time to the bus and a smile.
One less thing to worry about. The admission tickets aren't all that expensive but it sure saves time standing in line.
A light lunch of sandwiches and cold bottled water should be included. When you see all the tourist trap food available around these sites, you'll be pleased with what you get. This is a great tour for those budget-minded travelers who want to get to as many authentic Chinese cultural and historical sites as they can without breaking the bank. Find out more about the best budget tours of Beijing What Does the Temple of Heaven, Beijing Look Like?The Temple of Heaven Beijing is cut in half by a long wall. The Northern part within the wall is semicircular, which is the symbol for the Heavens. The Southern part is square and symbolizes the earth. The Northern part sits higher than the southern part. This design shows that heaven is higher than earth and the design is reflected in an ancient Chinese thought that 'The heaven is round and the earth is square'. The large buildings are painted red on the bottom with blue tiles on the roofs. All the buildings within the 2.73 km² of temple grounds have the same special dark blue roof tiles, a Chinese representation of Heaven. The most magnificent buildings in the Temple of Heaven Beijing are:
In the Southern portion of the complex is the Circular Mound Altar. The Circular Mound Altar was built as a platform upon which the Emperor prayed for favorable weather (In the event of drought or floods). A Red Stairway Bridge connects the Altar to the 'Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests' at the North end of the complex.
The Imperial Vault of Heaven is home to The Tablet Of The God Of Heaven as well as the Emperor's Ancestors' Tablets. Visitors will also find the Echo Wall and the Triple Sound Stone at the Imperial Vault of Heaven. Each are believed to hold aural illusions, such as an echo that passes along the wall as well as footstep that echo on the stones. The Imperial Vault is connected to the 'Hall of Prayer' by the 'Vermilion Steps Bridge', a 360 meter long raised walkway that slowly ascends from the Vault to 'The Hall Of Prayer'.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest was built on a three level marble stone base but the building was made entirely of jointed wood so not a single nail was used. This Is A Really A Magnificent 32m By 38m Circular Building Where The Emperor Prayed For Good Harvests. If you are interested in learning more about the Temple of Heaven Beijing, have a good look at Guide to the Temple of Heaven (Painter's Tourist Map of Beijing) The park is open from 6 AM to 8 PM but the actual sights are open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Temple of Heaven Beijing is busy just about every day of the year. Those who visit the park will likely spend half a day of more at the Temple of Heaven Beijing to take in all of the sights and photograph some of the most beautiful architecture in the world.  Here is a short 3min video of the main areas of the Temple of Heaven Beijing. Special Kudos to the ladies at the beginning. What symmetry!  Leave the Temple of Heaven Beijing and see the Olympic Stadium
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