Circular Mound Altar, Religious ceremonial altar at Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China.
The Circular Mound Altar is a three-tiered open-air platform of white marble located within the Temple of Heaven complex in Beijing. Each round terrace is slightly smaller than the one below it and is ringed by a low balustrade with gates facing the four cardinal directions.
The altar was built in 1530 during the Ming Dynasty, then enlarged and faced with white marble under the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century. That renovation gave it the appearance visitors see today.
The number nine runs through the layout at every level, since it was considered a sacred number tied to heaven in imperial China. Visitors who count the stone slabs on each terrace will find that every ring follows a multiple of nine.
The altar sits in the southern part of the Temple of Heaven park and is well signposted, so it is easy to find on foot. The marble surface can be slippery when wet, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.
Standing on the round stone at the very center of the top terrace and speaking aloud produces a noticeable echo, because the surrounding marble balustrades reflect the sound back. This effect may have been deliberate, so that the emperor's words during ceremonies seemed to carry more weight.
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