PROJECT

IN
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
TOURIST SPOT IN CHINA
TempleofHeaven
Submitted by : Angelica M. Escobido

k4A/BSBA-management accounting

Submitted to: Mrs. Elizabeth A. Bumalay

 TempleofHeaven

The Temple of Heaven (Chinese: ; pinyin: Tintn; Manchu: ; Mllendorf: abkai mukdehun) is an
imperial complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. The complex
was visited by the Emperors of the Mingand Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer
to Heaven for good harvest. It has been regarded as a Taoist temple,[1]although Chinese heaven
worship, especially by the reigning monarch of the day, predates Taoism.

he Temple of Heaven Park is located in the Chongwen District, Beijing. Originally, this was the place
where emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) held the Heaven
Worship Ceremony. It is the largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China's ancient
sacrificial buildings. First built in 1420, the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty
(1368 - 1644), it was enlarged and rebuilt during the reigns of the Ming emperor Jiajing and the Qing
emperor Qianlong. In 1988, it was opened to the public as a park, showing ancient philosophy, history
and religion. Its grand architectural style and profound cultural connotation give an insight into the
practices of the ancient Eastern civilization.The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven
during the reign of the Jiajing Emperorin the 16th century. Jiajing also built three other prominent
temples in Beijing, the Temple of Sun ( ) in the east, the Temple of Earth ( ) in the north, and
the Temple of Moon ( ) in the west.

Covering an area of 2,700,000 square meters (3,529,412 square yards), it is larger than the Forbidden
City. As the 'Sons of Heaven, Chinese emperors were precluded from building a dwelling for themselves
that was greater than the earthly residence dedicated to Heaven hence the diference in overall size of
the two complexes.
 Symbolism

Earth was represented by a square and Heaven by a circle; several features of the temple complex
symbolize the connection of Heaven and Earth, of circle and square. The whole temple complex is
surrounded by two cordons of walls; the outer wall has a taller, semi-circular northern end, representing
Heaven, and a shorter, rectangular southern end, representing the Earth. Both the Hall of Prayer for
Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar are round, each standing on a square yard, again
representing Heaven and Earth.
The number nine represents the Emperor and is evident in the design of the Circular Mound Altar: a
single round marmor plate is surrounded by a ring of nine plates, then a ring of 18 plates, and so on for
a total of nine surrounding rings, the outermost having 99 plates.

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests has four inner, twelve middle and twelve outer pillars, representing
the four seasons, twelve months and twelve traditional Chinese hours respectively. Combined together,
the twelve middle and twelve outer pillars represent the traditional solar terms.

All the buildings within the Temple have special dark blue roof tiles, representing the Heaven.

The Seven-Star Stone Group, east of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, represents the seven peaks
of Taishan Mountain, a place of Heaven worship in classical China.

There are four main supportive, dragon pillars each representing a season. The structure, held up by
these dragons, imitates the style of an ancient Chinese royal palace. Twelve inner pillars symbolize the
lunar months, and it is thought that the twelve outer pillars refer to the 12 two-hour periods of the day.

The Temple is divided by two encircling walls into an inner part and outer part. The main buildings lie at
the south and north ends of the middle axis of the inner part. The most magnificent buildings are the
Circular Mound Altar (Huanqiutan), the Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and the Hall of Prayer
for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) from south to north.
Recommended Touring Routes:

Circular Mound Altar

Located in the southern part of this area, The Circular Altar Mound is actually the Temple of Heaven in
the practical sense. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the emperors would ofer sacrifice here to
Heaven on the day of the Winter Solstice every year. Its famous buildings include the Lingxing Gates,
the Lantern Viewing Pole, the Terrace of Worshipping Heaven, the Heaven Heart Stone, the Firewood
Stove and the Divine Kitchen Courtyard.

Imperial Vault of Heaven

Along the middle axis, from the Circular Mound Altar to the north, you will see the Imperial Vault of
Heaven. It is the place housing the Gods tablets to be used at the Heaven Worship Ceremony. It is
famous for the Echo Wall, Three Echo Stones and the Dialogue Stone, which are all interesting
attractions utilizing the theory of sound wave.
 Danbi Bridge

Also called the Vermilion Steps Bridge, the Danbi Bridge connects the northern part and the southern
part. The south end of the Bridge is lower than its north end. The emperors believed that they could go
to heaven by this Bridge, hence the name, Sacred Way. The Sacred way had three routes, the central
one was the Imperial Route exclusively used by the Emperor and on one side was the Princes Route. On
the other side was the route for high officials.

Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests

Across the Danbi Bridge, you will come to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. It is a big palace with
round roof and three layers of eaves, where the emperor held the worship ceremonies to pray for good
weather and abundant harvests. It is the earliest building of the Temple of Heaven. It is a complex
consisting of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Altar for Grain Prayers.

Palace of Abstinence
Located in the southwest of the Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Palace of Abstinence is where the
emperor fasted before the Heaven Worship Ceremony began. It has several distinctive buildings, such as
the Beamless Hall, the Rest Palace, the Belfry, etc.

Divine Music Administration

Located to the southwest of the Palace of Abstinence, the Divine Music Administration is one of the five
major buildings in this scenic area. This was the location of the managing body for the ceremonial
musical instruments as well as the place where the sacrificial ritual was devised and rehearsed. This was
the most important ritual music academy of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
 Heaven Worship Culture

Established by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, the annual Worship of Heaven ceremony by the
emperor took place here. The ceremony was subject to special regulations for its preparation, place,
time, procedures, music and dance. This ceremonial practice confirmed the divine right of emperor and
the religious belief of the ancient Chinese people.