Tiantan - China

Tiantan ( )

Tiantan, known as Temple of Heaven , is the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties used to offer sacrifices to heaven. Titan covers an area of 273 hectares, and is enclosed by a double wall. The main temple buildings are clustered at the northern and southern ends of a long central causeway, 360 meters long. It is one of China's most outstanding ancient architectural creations.

Back Entry to Qiniandian

Back view of Qiniandian - the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.

Qiniandian - Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest

This is the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed in person for good harvest every year. The hall is a circular wooden structure with a unique architectural style.

Cinnabar Stairway Bridge

This long causeway is built from white marble. It represents the distant journey between the human world and heaven.

Abstinence Palace

Also known as the Beamless Palace, is a group of huge buildings in Tiantan. Before the emperor came to offer sacrifices to heaven, he would wash and commence a three-day fast, and on the day before the ceremony was held, he would come to Tiantan and stay in this palace.

Imperial Vault of Heaven

Its function was to house the memorial tablet of the "Supreme Ruler of Heaven". The memorial tablet would be taken out before the emperor came to pray and sent back when the praying was over.

Circular Mound

Every year at the time of winter solstice (around December 22), the emperor came here personally to offer sacrifices to heaven.

Peace Elephant

Double-ring Tower

Forest

Nine-Dragon Cypress

The tree is so knotted that it seems entwined by dragons.

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Back Entry to Qiniandian
	Back view of Qiniandian - the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.
Qiniandian - Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest
	This is the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed in person for good harvest every year. The hall is a circular wooden structure with a unique architectural style.

Cinnabar Stairway Bridge
	This long causeway is built from white marble. It represents the distant journey between the human world and heaven.
Abstinence Palace
	Also known as the Beamless Palace, is a group of huge buildings in Tiantan. Before the emperor came to offer sacrifices to heaven, he would wash and commence a three-day fast, and on the day before the ceremony was held, he would come to Tiantan and stay in this palace.

Imperial Vault of Heaven
	Its function was to house the memorial tablet of the "Supreme Ruler of Heaven". The memorial tablet would be taken out before the emperor came to pray and sent back when the praying was over.
Circular Mound
	Every year at the time of winter solstice (around December 22), the emperor came here personally to offer sacrifices to heaven.

Forest

Nine-Dragon Cypress
	The tree is so knotted that it seems entwined by dragons.