Beijing Travel
Occupying an area of 273 hectares (675 acres), the Temple of Heaven is a grand complex of ancient sacrificial buildings and a dignified masterpiece of architecture with a formal and solemn environment. Built in 1420, it was originally used for imperial to worship heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest.

In ancient times, the sky was regarded as circular shape and the earth square. On the basis of this traditional concept, the circle was widely adopted in the design of the temple's main building. It is in accord with people's imagination of heaven. There are two layers of wall surrounding the Temple, dividing it into two parts: the inner enclosure and the outer enclosure. The key complexes include Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests, Hall of Heavenly Emperor, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar.

A circular platform with staircases in multiple directions leads up to the central building - Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests. It is 38 meters (125 feet) in height and 30 meters (33 yards) in diameter, stands on a round foundation built with three levels of marble stones. This towering triple-eave hall is under a three-story, cone-shaped glaze-tile roof in blue color crowned with a gilded knob. A circular wall of polished bricks known as the Echo Wall encloses the Imperial Vault of Heaven. Imperial Vault of Heaven first built in 1530 and renovated in 1752, is a single-eaved round building covered by dark-blue glazed tiles on the roof. The Vault is 19.5 metres (64 feet) high. The tablet of 'the Imperial God in Heaven' was kept here and moved to the Circular Mound Altar to be worshipped on the occasions of sacrificial ceremonies.

Besides, the amusing Echo Wall, 65 meters (71 yards) in diameter surrounds the Vault. When two persons stand at the east and west ends respectively and whisper toward the wall, then can hear each other as distinctly as if they were talking over the telephone. Round wall makes this possible. Tourists who have made experiments are greatly delighted. The last but not the least main complex is the Circular Mount Altar, south to the Imperial Vault of Heaven, is where the emperor prayed to heaven. At the center lies a round stone called the Center of Heaven Stone that echoes when a visitor speaks loudly when standing on the stone.

More sightseeing view in the Temple of Heaven may irritate your interest when you slow your step in the Beamless Hall, the Seven Star Stones and the Nine Dragon Juniper.

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