Firewood Stove

Architectural Art of 9
In ancient China, odd numbers were called positive numbers, and even numbers were called negative numbers. 9 is the biggest positive number, so 9 was used to show the imperial authority. The number of fences and steps of Circular Mound Altar is either 9 or a multiple of 9. The Circular Mound Altar has three layers. The upper layer consists of fan-shaped stones, a total of 9 circles. The innermost circle has 9 stones. 9 pieces of stone were added progressively for every circle to the outside. The sum of the diameter of the three layers is 45 (9X5) Zhang (135 meters or 443 feet), symbolizing the so-called ‘Nine-Five Dignity’ of the emperor.

Daoism, also spelled Taoism, indigenous religio-philosophical tradition that has shaped Chinese life for more than 2,000 years. In the broadest sense, a Daoist attitude toward life can be seen in the accepting and yielding, the joyful and carefree sides of the Chinese character, an attitude that offsets and complements the moral and duty-conscious, austere and purposeful character ascribed to Confucianism. Daoism is also characterized by a positive, active attitude toward the occult and the metaphysical (theories on the nature of reality), whereas the agnostic, pragmatic Confucian tradition considers these issues of only marginal importance

Ticket Type

Nov.1-Mar.31 (next year)

Apr.1-Oct.31

Entrance Fee

CNY 10

CNY 15

Combination Ticket 
(including the entrance fee, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar & Echo Wall)

CNY 30

CNY 35

Hall of Ceremonial Music & Palace of Abstinence

CNY 10

CNY 10

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar & Echo Wall

CNY 20

CNY 20

Opening Hours

1. North, East, South and West Gates are open from 06:30 to 22:00.
2. Main attractions including Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound Altar, Echo Wall, Hall of Ceremonial Music and Palace of Abstinence are open from 08:00 to 17:00.
3. Combination Ticket is unavailable after 15:30 at the four gates.

1. North, East, South and West Gates are open from 06:00 to 22:00.
2. The main attractions are open from 08:00 to 17:30.
3. Combination Ticket is unavailable after 16:00 at the four gates.

Recommended
Time for a Visit

1.5 hours

Electronic Guide Equipment

Position: At the four gates
Time: 8:00—17:00
Languages: Cantonese, English, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spain
Fees: CNY 100 as guarantee deposit which will be refunded when the machine is returned; the machine rent fee is CNY 40.

The 13th Tiantan Culture Week

Time: Lunar January 1– 5 (Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, 2017)
Activities: Unfortunately, the God of Heaven Praying Ceremony is cancelled this year in consideration of the public safety. However, ritual music and dance, and the ancient music show continue to be performed. There are also special ancient music concerts in the Divine Music Administration every day.

By Bus:
Take bus 120, 122, 36, 525, 53, 958, Te 11, Te 3, Te 12, Yuntong 102, and get off at Tiantan Nanmen (South Gate) Station.
Take bus 120, 17, 2, 35, 36, 504, 53, 622, 69, 71, 72, 93, Te 11, and get off at Tiantan Ximen (West Gate) Station.
Take bus 106, 110, 34, 35, 36, 6, 72, and get off at Tiantan Beimen (North Gate) Station.

By Subway: Subway Line 5: get off at Tiantan Dongmen Station, Leave from Exit A and you'll find the East Gate of the Park. 

Today's Temple of Heaven

Leisure activities of Beijingers in the park

There are over 60,000 varieties of tree. The most famous tree is the grandfather tree - a 500-year-old Nine-Dragon Cypress with branches like nine dragons winding with each other. These trees create a quiet environment and an ideal resort for the locals to do their morning exercise. Residents living near the this place enjoy many activities here, such as running, cycling, singing, dancing, playing chess, flying kites, etc. You can become involved personally in these activities and experience the leisure pursuits of local people.

 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.

 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.

Nearby it, there are many interesting places to see. Taoranting Park is few blocks west of it, with Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum in between. Beijing Museum of Natural History is next to the west gate. Get out of Tiantan Dongmen Subway Station of Line 5 from Exit A, you can see the Hongqiao Pearl Market on the other side of the road. Walk north and you will see the Ming Dynasty City Wall Relics Park.

 Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests

Hall 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.