🏛️ Temple of Heaven (Tiantan)
China
About This Sacred Site
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is a magnificent complex of religious buildings where Ming and Qing dynasty emperors performed annual ceremonies to pray to Heaven for good harvests. Built in 1420, the complex covers 273 hectares — nearly four times the size of the Forbidden City. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a triple-gabled circular building standing 38 meters tall, was constructed entirely without nails. The complex embodies the ancient Chinese cosmological concept that Heaven is round and Earth is square, reflected in its architectural design.
Key Facts
- •Built in 1420 during the Ming dynasty, covering 273 hectares
- •The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was built entirely without nails
- •The Echo Wall allows whispers to travel clearly along its 65-meter circumference
- •Emperors fasted for three days before performing ceremonies here
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998
Location
Coordinates: 39.8822, 116.4066
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