An oasis of methodical Confucian design, the 267-hectare Temple of Heaven Park (天坛, Tiāntán; Tiantan Donglu, 天坛东路) is unique. It originally served as a vast stage for solemn rites performed by the emperor (the literal "Son of Heaven"), who prayed here for good harvests at winter solstice and sought divine clearance and atonement.
Now a vast park dotted with 4000 cypress trees, the temple is known for its Long Corridor and the curious Echo Wall, but the centerpiece will always be the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Rich in esoteric symbolism, this marvelous triple-eaved circular building is unlike any other in China. From afar you can admire the hall's unique design, capped with blue roof tiles that reflect its heavenly status. As the name suggests, this is where the emperor offered prayers for the coming year. First built around 1420, it was burnt to cinders by a lightning strike in 1889. A faithful reproduction based on Ming architectural methods was erected the following year, with timber imported from the USA, since by that point China lacked trees big enough for the task. It's connected with the buildings to the south, where the sacrifices were made, via the 360m-long Danbi Bridge. Count on at least an hour to visit this hall alone.
The next building on the Central Axis is the Imperial Vault of Heaven, enclosed by a low circular wall known as the Echo Wall. Despite its splendid architecture, this was merely a storeroom, used for the divine spirit tablets and other sacrificial materials. The Echo Wall, 65m in diameter, is so named for its unique acoustic properties. A quiet word or two spoken a few feet from the wall can be heard at the opposite point on the circle.
The sacrifices themselves were made at the Round Altar, a raised dais open to the elements at the southern end of the axis. Arranged in three tiers, its divine geometry revolves around the imperial number nine, considered sacrosanct in imperial China.
Since 1918 the Temple of Heaven has opened its gates to Beijing's lǎobǎixìng (old "hundred names" – literally common folk). You'll see locals performing taichi, kung-fu routines, dancing, or assembling into impromptu choirs and orchestras to belt out the old revolutionary songs with gusto. The exercise area in the northeast of the park has some of Beijing's best people-watching, where you might catch sight of a septuagenarian twirling on gymnastics bars, and other feats of athleticism.
Book tickets in advance at forbiddencitytickets.com. The main entrance is the east gate (subway line 5).
