Introduction
The Temple of Heaven Park, originally named Tiandi Tan (Altar of Heaven and Earth), is located in the heart of Beijing, approximately 4 kilometers from the Forbidden City. Construction began in the 18th year of the Yongle Emperor’s reign (1420), and it was renamed the “Temple of Heaven” in the 9th year of the Jiajing Emperor’s reign (1530).
As an important site for the Ming and Qing emperors to hold rituals such as the “Heaven Worship” and prayers for good harvests and rain, the park covers an area of 273 hectares (about four times the size of the Forbidden City) and is the largest extant ancient sacrificial architectural complex in China. On January 1, 1918, during the Republic of China period, the Temple of Heaven was opened to the public as a park.
The Temple of Heaven Park is enclosed by two sets of circular walls, divided into the “Inner Altar” and the “Outer Altar.” The northern part is circular, and the southern part is square, symbolizing the traditional cosmological view of “Heaven is round and the Earth is square.”
The park contains four major ancient architectural groups: the “Altar of Prayer for Good Harvest” (Qigu Altar), where prayers for a bountiful harvest are offered in spring; the “Circular Mound Altar” (Yuanqiu Altar), where ceremonies are held for winter solstice worship; the “Hall of Abstinence” (Zhai Gong), where the emperor purified his mind before the rituals; and the “Music Bureau” (Shenyue Shu), where the sacrificial music and rituals were practiced. The Prayer Hall for Good Harvests(祁年殿) within the Qigu Altar is especially iconic to Beijing, known for its triple-eave design. The Outer Altar is also home to vast groves of ancient cypress trees, enhancing the park’s solemnity and natural beauty.
In 1998, UNESCO listed the Temple of Heaven as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Best Time to Visit
Suitable for all seasons, especially recommended during autumn and winter.
Tour Routes
Half-Day Tour Route
East Gate (Entry) → North Sacrificial Pavilion (Bei Zaisheng Ting) → Seventy-Two Long Corridors (Qi Shi Er Chang Lang) → Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿) → Danbi Bridge (丹陛桥) → Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇) → Echo Wall (回音壁) → Circular Mound Altar (圜丘) → Hall of Abstinence (斋宫) → Double-ring Longevity Pavilion (双环万寿亭) → West Gate (Exit)
Two-Hour Highlights Tour
North Gate (Entry) → Hall of Imperial Worship (皇乾殿) → Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿) → Danbi Bridge (丹陛桥) → Chengzhen Gate (成贞门) → Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇) → Echo Wall (回音壁) → Circular Mound Altar (圜丘) → South Gate (Exit)
Main Attractions
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿)
Walk north along the Danbi Bridge, pass through the Prayer Gate(祁年门), and you will arrive at the iconic landmark of Beijing—the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Every year, during the early spring (the first month of the lunar calendar), the emperor of the Qing Dynasty would perform the “Prayers for Good Harvests” ceremony here, praying for abundant crops, favorable weather, and peace in the country. However, in the 15th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign (1889), the hall was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire. It was later rebuilt in the 22nd year of Guangxu (1896).
Circular Mound Altar (圜丘)
It is surrounded by two sets of red walls: the outer wall is square, while the inner wall is circular, symbolizing the traditional cosmological view of “Heaven is round, and the Earth is square.” On the winter solstice, the emperor would perform a grand ritual here, making it the true “Temple of Heaven.”
The design of the Circular Mound Altar incorporates many elements related to the number “nine.” The altar is made up of three levels, each with nine steps. The diameter of the top circular platform is nine zhang (a traditional Chinese unit of measurement). The small circle in the center of the platform consists of nine fan-shaped stone slabs, and the outer rings are made up of eighteen, twenty-seven, and up to eighty-one slabs. It is said that the Emperor of Heaven resides in the Ninth Heaven, and thus the number “nine” and its multiples are used to symbolize the supreme celestial order.
During the ritual, the imperial tablet for the Emperor of Heaven is placed on the top platform, while the emperor himself performs the rites from the second level to the south.
Echo Wall (回音壁)
Walk down from the north side of the Circular Mound Altar to reach the Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇), which enshrines the tablets for the Emperor of Heaven and the first eight emperors of the Qing Dynasty. Surrounding the Imperial Vault is a circular wall, famously known as the “Echo Wall.” In the center of the wall is a stone slab called the “Three-Sound Stone.” If you stand on it and clap your hands, you will clearly hear three echoes. Due to the large number of visitors, the echoes are often hard to hear.
Danbi Bridge (丹陛桥)
The Danbi Bridge is 360 meters long and connects the Circular Mound Altar with the Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests(祈谷坛). It is a raised avenue, four meters above the ground. The bridge is named for the archways that run east to west beneath the central section. The bridge is 30 meters wide, and the stone-paved path in the center is known as the “Sacred Road,” which was reserved for the Emperor of Heaven’s “walk.” The road on the east side, made of brick, is the “Imperial Road” for the emperor’s use, while the “Royal Road” on the west side was for the use of high-ranking officials attending the ceremony. The layout fully reflects the hierarchical ritual design of the sacrificial rites. The bridge gradually rises from south to north, and walking along it feels like ascending step by step into the heavenly realm, exuding a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
Hall of Abstinence (斋宫)
Before performing the sacrificial rites, the emperor would spend three days in the Hall of Abstinence, fasting and purifying himself as a sign of respect and devotion.
Photos
Basic Information
Admission Fee: No
Park Opening Hours: Off-season (November 1 – March 31) 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM, Peak season (April 1 – October 31) 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Opening Hours for Attractions (e.g., Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests): Off-season (November 1 – March 31) 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Peak season (April 1 – October 31) 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Customer Service Phone Numbers: +8610-67028866, +8610-67012483, +8610-67013036
| Item | Price | Description |
| Main Entrance Ticket | Peak season: 15 yuan(Approx. USD 2.1), Off-season: 10 yuan(Approx. USD 1.4) | For main entrance ticket only. |
| Through Ticket | Peak season: 34 yuan(Approx. USD 4.8), Off-season: 28 yuan(Approx. USD 3.9) | Includes main entrance ticket, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Echo Wall, Circular Mound Altar, and other attractions within the park. |
You can purchase tickets either online or on-site. To buy tickets online, visit the WeChat official account “天坛”.
Transportation Options
Transportation Options Based on Your Chosen Entrance:
East Gate: Take Subway Line 5 and exit at A2 of Tiantan Dongmen Station(天坛东门站).
West Gate: Take Subway Line 8 and exit at C of Tiānqiáo Station(天桥站).
North Gate: Take Subway Line 7 and exit at C of Qiaowan Station(桥湾站). Walk east for about 200 meters, then turn right onto Qinian Street(祈年大街). Continue straight for about 500 meters to reach the North Gate of the Temple of Heaven Park.
Important Notes
Combination Ticket Recommendation: We recommend purchasing the combination ticket (联票), which includes the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar, Echo Wall, and other attractions within the park. Since you’re visiting the Temple of Heaven, don’t miss these iconic spots!
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests Lighting: The staff turns on the landscape lighting for the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests every Friday, Saturday, and during major holidays in the evening, creating a dazzling and captivating display! The lighting time aligns with the city’s street lights and turns off at 9:00 PM. If you’d like to enjoy the illuminated Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, you can plan to visit during this time.
Closing Time Reminder: Attractions, including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, are closed on Mondays (except during public holidays). We recommend avoiding visits on Mondays.
Identification Requirements: Please carry valid identification (such as an ID card or passport) with you. You must show identification to enter the park and access internal attractions.
Behavioral Regulations: Smoking, open flames, lying down, setting up tents, flying kites, playing ball games, and similar activities are prohibited within the park. Additionally, wedding photography, commercial filming, or shooting for advertisements or films is not allowed in order to maintain the park’s environment and order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to make a reservation to visit the Temple of Heaven Park?
No, you don’t need to make a reservation. You can choose to purchase tickets online or on-site, and simply present your identification to enter the park.
How long does it take to visit the entire Temple of Heaven Park?
Typically, half a day is enough to explore the entire park.
Can I enter and exit from all gates?
Yes, the Temple of Heaven Park has four entrances/exits: East, South, West, and North, all of which are open for entry and exit.
Where can I collect the Temple of Heaven commemorative tickets?
You can collect them at the ticket sales point.