The places I have been to - Temple of Heaven Park

[Rainbow] **Historical Background** - **Original Construction and Function**: The Temple of Heaven was first built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420). It was originally called the "Altar of Heaven and Earth" and was the royal altar for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to offer sacrifices to heaven, pray for a good harvest and pray for rain. In the ninth year of Jiajing (1530), after the separation of heaven and earth was implemented, it was renamed "Temple of Heaven" and is still used today. - **Cultural Symbol**: The Temple of Heaven carries the ancient political philosophy of "divine right of kings". It strengthens the legitimacy of imperial power through the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven and embodies the cosmic view of "harmony between man and nature". It was listed as a World Cultural Heritage in 1998. [Sakura] **Architectural Features** - **Layout and Meaning**: The Temple of Heaven covers an area of ​​approximately 2.73 million square meters and is designed with the core concept of "the sky is round and the earth is square". The main buildings are distributed along the north-south axis, including the Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven, Danbi Bridge, and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The overall terrain is low in the south and high in the north, implying "ascending to heaven step by step." - **Core Building**: - **Circular Mound Altar**: A three-tier circular white marble altar, symbolizing the "Nine Heavens". The "Heavenly Heart Stone" in the center can produce an echo and resonance, implying "the return of all people". - **Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests**: An iconic three-eaved circular building with 28 nanmu columns symbolizing the four seasons, months, solar terms and stars. The gilded dome and blue glazed tiles on top symbolize the sky. - **Echo Wall**: The curved wall of the Imperial Vault of Heaven uses sound wave reflection to achieve long-distance sound transmission, demonstrating the ancient acoustic wisdom. [Rainbow] **2. Travel Tips** [Sakura]**1. Tickets and opening hours** - **Tickets**: A combined ticket (including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Echo Wall, and Circular Mound) is 34 yuan in peak season and 28 yuan in off-season; a regular ticket is 15 yuan in peak season and 10 yuan in off-season. Students and senior citizens enjoy discounts, and those over 60 years old are free of charge. - **Opening hours**: Peak season (April 1 to October 31) 6:00-22:00, off-season 6:30-21:30; core attractions close 1 hour earlier. [Sakura]**2. Transportation Guide** - **Subway**: Line 5 to "Temple of Heaven East Gate Station", or Line 8 to "Tianqiao Station" (West Gate). - **Bus**: You can take multiple buses, such as No. 36, 72, and 120 to "Temple of Heaven South Gate". [Sakura]**3. Recommended tour routes** - **Classic Route** (about 3 hours): **South Gate→Circular Mound Altar→Imperial Vault of Heaven (Echo Wall)→Danbi Bridge→Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests→Palace of Fasting→North Gate** Follow the ancient imperial sacrificial route and experience the ritual of "ascending to heaven". - **In-depth route**: Add **Zai Palace** (the place where the emperor fasted), **Shenyue Office** (sacrificial music exhibition), **Qixing Stone** (symbolizing the seven peaks of Mount Tai) and other attractions, which takes more than 5 hours. [Sakura]**4. Must-see highlights** - **Circular Mound Heavenly Center Stone**: Stand in the center and shout, and experience the shock of echo resonance. - **Architectural details of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests**: Observe the symbolic meaning of the 28 nanmu pillars and the dragon and phoenix caisson. - **Danbi Bridge**: A 300-meter-long "sacred path" that is higher in the north and lower in the south, visually extending to the horizon. - **Zhai Palace Wuliang Hall**: Brick arch structure without beams, showing the architectural wisdom of the Ming Dynasty [Sakura]**5. Special Experience** - **Acoustic Wonder**: Have a whispered conversation at the base of the east and west side halls of the Echo Wall and feel the reflection of sound waves. - **Cultural Exhibition**: Sacrificial ritual exhibition in Saigu, Zhonghe Shao music performance by the Shenle Bureau. - **Hidden Attraction**: CICC e-shopping cultural and creative store (Temple of Heaven IP precious metal souvenirs). [Sakura]**6. Practical tips** - **Best time**: The climate is pleasant in spring and autumn (March to May, September to November), with flowers in spring and red leaves in autumn adding color to the ancient buildings; the snowy scenery is solemn in winter. - **Photography Tips**: The front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the panoramic view of the Circular Mound Altar, and the distant view of the Danbi Bridge are classic camera positions. It is recommended to shoot in the early morning or evening when the light is soft. [Sakura] **Fourth, Cultural Significance** The Temple of Heaven is not only the pinnacle of ancient sacrificial architecture, but also the material carrier of the Chinese civilization's spirit of "respecting heaven and following ancestors." Its design integrates astronomy, acoustics and aesthetics, reflecting the ancient people's philosophical thought of pursuing harmony between man and nature. When visiting, you may want to quietly feel the solemnity and wisdom that spans 600 years.