Temple of Heaven

Inscribed: 1998 Criteria: C (i) (ii) (iii)

The Temple of Heaven, founded in the first half of the 15th century, is a dignified complex of fine cult buildings set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods. In its overall layout and that of its individual buildings, it symbolizes the relationship between earth and heaven: the human world and God's world? Which stands at the heart of Chinese cosmogony, and also the special role played by the emperors within that relationship.

——WHC,UNESCO

Occupying a total area of 273 hectares, the Temple of Heaven situated in the southern part of Beijing. It was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped heaven and prayed for good harvest. The construction was built in 1420.

In Ming and Qing dynasties the emperors came to the Temple of Heaven twice a year, on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month and on the winter solstice. Both heaven and earth were worshipped at first. The Temple of Earth was built in 1530,then the Temple of Heaven became to the only place to worship the Heaven.

There are 3 most famous highlights in the Temple of Heaven, The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Imperial Heaven Vault and the Circular Mound Altar. In the Imperial Heavenly Vault, there is a special stone called Triple Sound Stone. If a person stand on the first stone and calls out, the sound will be echoed once, on the second stone the echo will be heard twice, and on the third stone, the sound will be repeated three times.

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