The Temple of Heaven covers an area of 273 hectares. It was built in 1420. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties visited the Temple of Heaven to worship heaven and pray for an abundant harvest. The main structures in the Temple of Heaven are the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the imperial Vault of Heaven, the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar.

The highlight of the Temple of Heaven is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. The hall, a cone-shaped structure with triple eaves, was built without beams and purlins. The heavy triple eaved top is supported entirely by 28 huge columns. The Hall is enclosed by lattice doors and windows instead of brick walls. The whole building is of high artistic value in structure, shape and application of colors.

The imperial Vault of Heaven is a single-eaved round building covered by dark-blue glazed tiles on the roof. 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.

The well-known Echo Wall, 65.1 meters in diameter, surrounds the Vault. When two persons stand at the east and west ends respectively and whisper toward the wall, they can hear each other as distinctly as if they were talking over the telephone.

Worship of the God of Heaven followed a fixed pattern. No common people or foreigners were allowed to watch the Emperor's procession to the temple. Even the trains were forced to stop in order not to disturb the solemnity of the ceremony.

Entry fee:30yuan

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