![Beijing, China - The Temple of Heaven cover page.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133913294.kcOxsmXQ.jpg) Beijing, China - The Temple of Heaven cover page. |
![Map of China with the star indicating Beijing.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133913295.wyyM7XSd.jpg) Map of China with the star indicating Beijing. |
![Map of the Temple of Heaven complex.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/134929399.jEYtv0Le.jpg) Map of the Temple of Heaven complex. |
![This cute Chinese girl was making bubbles at entrance of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817243.iECs489d.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817245.YilhjnEX.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817247.wCqWZyKf.jpg) This old Chinese man must have had a good hand. |
![A Chinese musician was demonstrating his talents.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817271.mDPqLsON.jpg) A Chinese musician was demonstrating his talents. |
![Two more musicians were playing in hopes of getting tips from the tourists.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817335.Vui5tsZ1.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817273.ARkWB0l3.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817269.7q5xf4Zt.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817272.vXU2UVeA.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817275.UZthoCK1.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817276.yUyx9JEt.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817282.voOYYxTt.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817281.2KKJiyXh.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817277.Zk65S4vp.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817278.KDEgfgDH.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817280.DqzKQJFr.jpg) One of three main halls surrounding the courtyard of the of Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. |
![There were many tourists there.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817279.qOjt38d2.jpg) There were many tourists there. |
![Domed doorway where I exited the courtyard of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817283.KoKaIutr.jpg) Domed doorway where I exited the courtyard of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. |
![Approaching it, the Imperial Walkway was visible.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817285.A0z5WOF5.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817284.BaVBohpw.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817286.tGkQ5Boj.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817289.o5xbHG7S.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817287.DCI5MAhX.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817290.WihmFMjc.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817439.t8zDXYNz.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817338.5fv1z5EO.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817437.xXYRJ6K6.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817341.WP3utS3F.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817440.Ng9Nm7uy.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817442.ESP8gvnm.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817445.lVjXFKUr.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817446.KxH5nAZY.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817447.Y9Nz4APb.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817448.r79uMcAN.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817449.Tf7dUhXN.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817450.jlsKeOGx.jpg) 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.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/73/691773/3/133817451.cMi7Ye4W.jpg) Close-up of the arched door of the gate looking back into the Temple of Heaven. |