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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> China >> Beijing, China Photo Travelogues (March 2011) >> Beijing, China - The Temple of Heaven (March 2011) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Beijing, China - The Temple of Heaven (March 2011)

Beijing's Temple of Heaven is a masterpiece and architectural wonder. In 1998, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. The most magnificent buildings are the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar. The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1911) during the reign of the Emperor Yongle, who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was believed that a ruler was given his right to rule by heaven, and due respect was needed to ensure his rule was successful. Emperor Yongle dared not to build his own dwelling, the Forbidden City, larger than a dwelling for heaven. The southern part of the Temple of Heaven is square while the northern part is semicircular. It was built like this because according to Chinese tradition the earth is square and heaven is round. The roof tiles in the temple are cobalt blue symbolizing heaven. A trip to Beijing would be incomplete without experiencing the architectural splendor of the Temple of Heaven, which is heavenly.
Beijing, China - The Temple of Heaven cover page.
Beijing, China - The Temple of Heaven cover page.		 Map of China with the star indicating Beijing.
Map of China with the star indicating Beijing.		 Map of the Temple of Heaven complex.
Map of the Temple of Heaven complex.		 This cute Chinese girl was making bubbles at entrance of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
This cute Chinese girl was making bubbles at entrance of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
Men were playing mahjong along the long corridor that leads to the main temple grounds.
Men were playing mahjong along the long corridor that leads to the main temple grounds.		 This old Chinese man must have had a good hand.
This old Chinese man must have had a good hand.		 A Chinese musician was demonstrating his talents.
A Chinese musician was demonstrating his talents.		 Two more musicians were playing in hopes of getting tips from the tourists.
Two more musicians were playing in hopes of getting tips from the tourists.
Close-up of one of the musicians with an unusual Chinese stringed instrument.
Close-up of one of the musicians with an unusual Chinese stringed instrument.		 View of the long corridor where Chinese people and tourists were mulling around and relaxing.
View of the long corridor where Chinese people and tourists were mulling around and relaxing.		 The long corridor continued to other parts of the Temple of Heaven.
The long corridor continued to other parts of the Temple of Heaven.		 Arched doorway ahead that lead to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.
Arched doorway ahead that lead to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, is where emperors offered sacrifices to Heaven. It is made entirely of wood with no nails.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, is where emperors offered sacrifices to Heaven. It is made entirely of wood with no nails.		 The original building burned from a lightening strike in 1889. It was rebuilt several years later.
The original building burned from a lightening strike in 1889. It was rebuilt several years later.		 One of three magnificent stone carvings in the middle of one of the staircases leading up to the hall.
One of three magnificent stone carvings in the middle of one of the staircases leading up to the hall.		 Close-up of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. Most of the buildings in the Temple of Heaven complex are dome-shaped.
Close-up of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. Most of the buildings in the Temple of Heaven complex are dome-shaped.
Interior of the hall. In addition to these ornate columns, there is a magnificent dome inside.
Interior of the hall. In addition to these ornate columns, there is a magnificent dome inside.		 One of three main halls surrounding the courtyard of the of Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.
One of three main halls surrounding the courtyard of the of Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.		 There were many tourists there.
There were many tourists there.		 Domed doorway where I exited the courtyard of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.
Domed doorway where I exited the courtyard of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.
Approaching it, the Imperial Walkway was visible.
Approaching it, the Imperial Walkway was visible.		 View from the other side of the doorway looking back at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.
View from the other side of the doorway looking back at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.		 As I exited, I saw this mysterious-looking, hooded Chinese girl checking her cell phone.
As I exited, I saw this mysterious-looking, hooded Chinese girl checking her cell phone.		 View looking down the Imperial Way with many groups of tourists.
View looking down the Imperial Way with many groups of tourists.
Danby Bridge starting point at the Imperial Walkway. It connects the Altar of Circular Mound to the Altar of Prayer for Grains.
Danby Bridge starting point at the Imperial Walkway. It connects the Altar of Circular Mound to the Altar of Prayer for Grains.		 Rear view of the of the Imperial Vault of Heaven. The arched roof symbolizes that heaven is supreme.
Rear view of the of the Imperial Vault of Heaven. The arched roof symbolizes that heaven is supreme.		 Front view of the Imperial Vault of Heaven. The round wall surrounding it is the Echo Wall. It reflects sound all around it.
Front view of the Imperial Vault of Heaven. The round wall surrounding it is the Echo Wall. It reflects sound all around it.		 Further down the Imperial Way is one of several arched gates.
Further down the Imperial Way is one of several arched gates.
This interesting arched gate along the Imperial Way has red double doors with ornate brass knockers.
This interesting arched gate along the Imperial Way has red double doors with ornate brass knockers.		 Details of the gate's roofline with blue animals. Generally, the more animals there are, the more important the structure is.
Details of the gate's roofline with blue animals. Generally, the more animals there are, the more important the structure is.		 Front of the West Annex Hall of the Celestial Warehouse, built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty by Emperor Jiajing.
Front of the West Annex Hall of the Celestial Warehouse, built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty by Emperor Jiajing.		 Interior of the West Annex Hall. Divine tablets are kept there for the gods of the moon, clouds, rain, wind and thunder.
Interior of the West Annex Hall. Divine tablets are kept there for the gods of the moon, clouds, rain, wind and thunder.
View of the Circular Mound Altar, which was built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty by Emperor Jiajing.
View of the Circular Mound Altar, which was built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty by Emperor Jiajing.		 The altar served as a place for holding ceremonies to worship heaven at the winter solstice every year.
The altar served as a place for holding ceremonies to worship heaven at the winter solstice every year.		 View from the Circular Mound Altar. Its balusters and steps are either 9 or divisible by 9, symbolizing the 9 layers of heaven.
View from the Circular Mound Altar. Its balusters and steps are either 9 or divisible by 9, symbolizing the 9 layers of heaven.		 The round slate in the center of the altar is called the Heart of Heaven. It is where the Emperor prayed for good weather.
The round slate in the center of the altar is called the "Heart of Heaven." It is where the Emperor prayed for good weather.
South of the Circular Mound Altar is the arched Zhaoheng Gate where I exited from the Temple of Heaven complex.
South of the Circular Mound Altar is the arched Zhaoheng Gate where I exited from the Temple of Heaven complex.		 View from the other side of the doorway looking back at the Circular Mound Altar and the Temple of Heaven grounds.
View from the other side of the doorway looking back at the Circular Mound Altar and the Temple of Heaven grounds.		 Close-up of the arched door of the gate looking back into the Temple of Heaven.
Close-up of the arched door of the gate looking back into the Temple of Heaven.

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