Temple of Heaven, Imperial temple complex in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

The Temple of Heaven is a 2.73 km² walled complex of Ming and Qing imperial altars. Its northern focal point, the round Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, is 38 m tall and 32.72 m in diameter, built of wooden columns without nails on a three-tiered marble terrace. South of it, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar stand along a 360 m raised walkway, the Danbi Bridge.

Emperor Yongle commissioned the complex in 1420 during the relocation of the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. Originally dedicated to both Heaven and Earth, it was redesigned in 1530 when a separate temple for Earth sacrifices was created. Qing emperors continued the ceremonies until 1911, restoring the main hall after an 1889 fire. The grounds opened to the public in 1918 and received World Heritage status in 1998.

The complex served exclusively for imperial rituals and remained closed to ordinary citizens for over 500 years. Ceremonies took place twice annually during winter and summer solstices, when emperors prayed as Sons of Heaven for harmony between celestial and earthly realms. The three-tiered Circular Mound Altar symbolizes the connection between mortal rulers and cosmic forces through its ritual geometry.

Enter from the west gate on Tiantan Road for the closest approach to the Hall of Prayer; the east gate at Tiantan Dongmen station on subway line 5 also leads into the park. The grounds cover 273 hectares, four times the area of the Forbidden City, so allow several hours and wear comfortable shoes. The Danbi Bridge, 360 meters long and 2.5 meters high, links the Circular Mound Altar to the Hall of Prayer.

The Circular Mound Altar's three tiers have 72, 108 and 180 balustrade panels, totalling 360, while its diameters of 9, 15 and 21 zhang use the odd yang numbers up to nine. The Hall of Prayer's 28 nanmu columns are grouped as four central, twelve middle and twelve outer, standing for seasons, months and shichen.