Beijing | Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park)

The Temple of Heaven

Text & Images - Copyright © 2009 Kevin Hulsey

Within Beijing's Tiantan Park is the Temple of Heaven, a "cult building" symbolizing the relationship between heaven and earth, which has become one of China's most famous and important temples. Ming and Qing dynasty emperors came to the Temple of Heaven twice each year to pray for good harvests.

The Temple of Heaven is enclosed behind the walled 667 acre Tiantan Park, to the south of the Forbidden City. The Temple of Heaven complex was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1998.

Temple of Heaven Layout & Design

All of the structures in the temple complex are aligned on a north-south central axis, flanked by buildings to the east and west. The temple complex was constructed according to the dictates of feng shui, and in accordance with the ancient religious practices used in Nanjing, the historic capital of China.

The round northern section of the temple represents heaven, with the Qiniandian or "Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests" and its three concentric circular roofs as the focal point. The 'Hall of Prayer' temple sits atop a three-tiered marble balustrade decorated with dragon, phoenix, and cloud motifs.

As with most Chinese temples and palaces, the emperor would always enter the Temple of Heaven complex from the southern-most Zhaoheng Gate.

Qiniandian "Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests"

The Qiniandian was originally constructed in 1420, during the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty. The original Qiniandian Hall of Prayer was made entirely of wood, destroyed by fire in 1889, and subsequently rebuilt. Post and beam construction was used in both versions, and all joints were mortised together without the use of fasteners or nails.

The "Long Corridor" to the east of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (photo, above) was used to carry slaughtered sacrificial animals from the "Divine Kitchen and Butcher House" to the temple alter. The covered walkway was designed to protect the sacrifice from being "stained" by the elements.

Mathmatics and seasonal or celestial calculations play a major role in the design of the Qiniandian, with its roof of three concentric circles being supported by four massive wood columns that symbolize the four seasons. Other aspects of the building's design equate to the twelve months of the year and twelve hours in a day.

South of the Qiniandian, through the Chengzhen Gate, is the Huangqiongyu or "Imperial Vault of Heaven." The Huangqiongyu was originally constructed in 1530, and rebuilt 1572. This area also contains the "Echo Wall" and Triple Sound Stones, with their peculiar acoustical qualities.

Further to the south is the "Circular Mound Alter" that is contained in a square area representing earth. This alter was built in 1530 by Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty. The Circular Mound Alter was used to worship heaven each year on the winter solstice.

During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the Temple of Heaven complex was refurbished and enlarged to make it more pure and holy than before.