The Temple of Heaven Park, located on the east side of Yongdingmen Inner Street in Chongwen District, Beijing, is a significant site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed rituals to worship the皇天上帝(God of Heaven). Initially constructed in the 18th year of the Yongle reign (1420) during the Ming Dynasty and completed during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, the Temple of Heaven carries a rich historical and cultural significance. It is a perfect fusion of ancient Chinese architecture and religious ceremonies.
The History and Background of the Temple of Heaven
The establishment of the Temple of Heaven is rooted in ancient China’s worship of heaven. In the traditional Chinese mindset, heaven was the supreme deity, the creator and master of all things in the universe. Therefore, emperors throughout the dynasties conducted ceremonies to honor the heavenly deities as a major state event, praying for national prosperity and a bountiful harvest. As the exclusive site for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to perform these ceremonies, the Temple of Heaven, with its architecture and rituals, reflects ancient China’s reverence for nature and its aspiration for a harmonious society.
Architecture and Layout of the Temple of Heaven
Spanning approximately 2.73 million square meters, the Temple of Heaven Park is divided into two parts: the Inner Altar and the Outer Altar. The Inner Altar consists of the Circular Mound and the Altar of Grain Prayers, connected by a 360-meter-long Danbi Bridge, also known as the Sea-Grabbing Avenue, which serves as the main axis of the Temple of Heaven’s architecture. At the south end of the Danbi Bridge are the Circular Mound and the Imperial Vault of Heaven, while at the north end stand the famous Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Hall of Imperial Peace. To the east of the Danbi Bridge are auxiliary buildings such as the Slaughtering Pavilion, the Kitchen for the Gods, and the Storehouse for the Gods. To the west is the Fasting Palace, where the emperor would purify himself before the great sacrificial ceremony. The Outer Altar is a vast wooded area, with the God’s Music Bureau located in the southwest, where rituals music and dance were practiced and taught during the Ming and Qing periods.
Inner Altar Buildings
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is one of the most prominent buildings in the Temple of Heaven Park and the main structure of the Temple. Located in the northern part of the Inner Altar, it was the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties prayed for good harvests. The hall features a round, multi-eaved roof, symbolizing the ancient Chinese cosmology of a round heaven and a square earth. The roof is supported by 28 large eave pillars and 12 central gold pillars, representing ancient Chinese astronomical knowledge and cosmic concepts. The central part of the hall houses the god’s altar for the God of Heaven, and it is the primary venue for the Altar of Grain Prayers ceremony.
Circular Mound
The Circular Mound, located in the southern part of the Inner Altar, is the site where the emperor conducted the Winter Solstice ceremony to worship heaven. The mound is a three-tiered circular stone platform, with each tier surrounded by a railing made of white marble. At the center of the platform is a round marble slab known as the Heaven’s Heart Stone or the Central Stone. It is said that speaking on the Central Stone amplifies the voice. The design and layout of the Circular Mound reflect the precise calculations of ancient Chinese astronomy and mathematics.
Imperial Vault of Heaven
The Imperial Vault of Heaven is located to the north of the Circular Mound and is a round building used to store sacrificial vessels and the god’s tablets during rituals. Its unique architectural structure features a single-eave round roof covered with blue glazed tiles, symbolizing the sky. Surrounding the Imperial Vault of Heaven is a circular wall with four gates facing the cardinal directions.
Fasting Palace
The Fasting Palace is located to the west of the Danbi Bridge and is the place where the emperor would purify himself before the great sacrificial ceremony. The layout of the Fasting Palace is rigorous and serene, conducive to the emperor’s meditation and preparation for the ceremony. The main buildings of the Fasting Palace include the main hall, side halls, and sleeping quarters, with the main hall serving as the emperor’s fasting and resting place.
Outer Altar Buildings
God’s Music Bureau
The God’s Music Bureau, located in the southwest of the Outer Altar, was the venue for practicing ritual music and dance during the Ming and Qing periods. The complex includes a main hall, side halls, and courtyards, with the main hall containing seats for the band and a rehearsal space for dancers. The existence of the God’s Music Bureau reflects the importance ancient Chinese culture placed on music and dance in sacrificial ceremonies.
Ritual Activities: The Emperor’s Dialogue with Heaven and Earth
The rituals conducted by the emperors at the Temple of Heaven were a series of solemn and intricate ceremonies. From fasting, selecting auspicious dates, and preparing sacrificial items, to the inspection of sacrificial vessels and the placement of the god’s tablets on the eve of the ritual, every step strictly followed ceremonial protocols. On the day of the ritual, the emperor, leading civil and military officials, would welcome the gods, offer sacrifices, read the sacrificial texts, perform rituals, and be accompanied by music and dance. After the ritual, a ceremony to see off the gods was conducted, and the sacrificial offerings were processed accordingly. These ceremonies not only demonstrated the emperor’s status as the “Son of Heaven” but also conveyed respect for the will of heaven and prayers for the nation.
Preparation Stage
Three days before the ritual, the emperor would fast in the Fasting Palace to show piety to the heavenly deities. During the fasting period, the emperor would abstain from eating meat, drinking alcohol, entertaining, and handling state affairs to maintain a pure body and mind. The Board of Astronomy would select an auspicious date for the ritual based on the astronomical calendar. At the same time, all sacrificial items such as sacrificial texts, offerings (such as livestock, grains, wine, etc.), and vessels had to be prepared in advance.
The Eve of the Ritual
The inspection of sacrificial vessels ensured that all items were correct and complied with ceremonial requirements. The god’s tablets were placed in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests or other appropriate locations.
On the Day of the Ritual
Welcoming the Gods
The emperor, leading civil and military officials, would proceed to the Temple of Heaven, where the first ceremony would be to welcome the gods, expressing reverence for the heavenly deities.
Offering Sacrifices
Offerings, including livestock, wine, and grains, were presented on the Circular Mound or the Altar of Grain Prayers, either by the emperor himself or by representatives.
Reading the Sacrificial Texts
The emperor would read the sacrificial texts, expressing gratitude and prayers to the heavenly deities. The texts were usually written by court scholars.
Performing Rituals
The emperor and accompanying officials would perform the three kneelings and nine prostrations ritual, following strict ceremonial protocols.
Music and Dance
Dancers trained at the God’s Music Bureau would perform during the ritual, using music and dance to worship heaven and earth.
After the Ritual
Seeing Off the Gods
After the ritual, a ceremony to see off the gods was conducted, thanking the heavenly deities for their blessings and respectfully bidding them farewell.
Processing of Sacrificial Offerings
The sacrificial offerings, such as livestock, were processed according to specified methods, such as being distributed to officials or used in other ceremonies.
Opening Hours and Ticket Information
The Temple of Heaven Park is open to the public, with adjusted opening hours for the peak and off-peak seasons. During the peak season (April 1 to October 31), the park opens at 6:00 AM and stops admitting visitors at 9:00 PM, closing at 10:00 PM; during the off-peak season (November 1 to March 31 of the following year), it opens at 6:30 AM and stops admitting visitors at 9:00 PM, closing at 10:00 PM. Ticket prices also vary according to the peak and off-peak seasons, with the peak season ticket priced at 15 yuan, and the off-peak season ticket at 10 yuan, with corresponding adjustments for combo tickets and discounted tickets. The ticket for the God’s Music Bureau is 10 yuan, and the monthly ticket price is 15 yuan. It is important to note that certain scenic spots and courtyards are closed on Mondays each week, except for legal holidays.
Ticket Discount Policies
The Temple of Heaven Park offers ticket discounts for different groups. Children under 1.2 meters in height enter for free; visitors with student IDs, children, senior citizen cards, military officer cards, and disability certificates can enjoy half-price discounts, with senior citizen preferential cardholders entering for free.
Opening Hours for Scenic Spots and Courtyards
The opening hours for scenic spots and courtyards, including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Echo Wall, the Circular Mound, the Fasting Palace, the Kitchen for the Gods, and the Slaughtering Pavilion, are as follows:
Peak Season
Open at 8:00 AM, stop admitting visitors at 5:30 PM, and close at 6:00 PM.
Off-Peak Season
Open at 8:00 AM, stop admitting visitors at 4:30 PM, and close at 5:00 PM.
Conclusion
The Temple of Heaven Park is not only a calling card of Beijing but also a treasure of ancient Chinese culture. Whether it is its magnificent architecture, meticulous layout, or the solemnity of the rituals, it evokes awe and respect for the culture and wisdom of ancient China. Today, the Temple of Heaven Park has become a place for citizens and tourists to relax and visit, as well as an important venue for understanding traditional Chinese culture. Here, visitors can not only experience the solemn atmosphere of ancient rituals but also appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient Chinese architecture and the profound cultural connotations. With its unique charm, the Temple of Heaven Park attracts tourists from around the world to visit and explore, serving as a bridge connecting the past with the present and the East with the West.