Page 18 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Beijing

16 ❯❯ Top 10 Beijing Highlights

Temple of Heaven
(Tian Tan)

As the Son of Heaven, the emperor could intercede with the
gods on behalf of his people. It was here that he would pray at
the winter solstice for a good harvest. Off-limits to the common
people during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the complex is
now open to the public and attracts thousands of visitors
daily, including many locals who come to enjoy the
huge park in which the temple is set.

Hall of Prayer
1
for Good
Harvests
Built in 1420, then rebuilt
in 1889, this circular
tower, with a conical
roof of blue tiles and
a gold finial, is the
most beautiful building
in Beijing. One of the
most striking facts
about it is that it was
constructed without
the use of a single nail.
Painted
2
Caisson
Ceiling
The circular ceiling of the
Hall of Prayer for Good
Temple of
Imperial Vault
Harvests has a gilded 3 4
dragon and phoenix at Heaven Park of Heaven
its center (below). The Today, locals, inured to A circular hall made of
wood for the four central both the splendor of the wood and capped by a
columns was imported buildings and the crowds conical roof, the Imperial
from Oregon, as at the of tourists, use the vast Vault (above) once held
time China had no grounds to practice tai the wooden spirit tablets
trees tall enough. chi and to exercise. that were used in the
ceremonies that took
place on the nearby
Round Altar.
Round Altar
5
The altar is formed
of marble slabs laid out
in nine concentric circles
with each gray circle
co ntaining a multiple of
nine pieces. The center
of the altar represents the
center of the world and
it is where the emperor
carried out sacrifices.

Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED:
Three-column, 8.25pt grid “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.5)
016-017_Top_10_Beijing.indd 16 27/06/2017 14:32
Date 12th May 2015
Size 100mm x 191mm