China Hours Temple of Heaven Park Beijing (Pekin) Facts

China Hours Temple of Heaven Park Beijing (Pekin) Facts
China Hours Temple of Heaven Park Beijing (Pekin) Facts

Temple of Heaven History Facts

The Temple of Heaven (in Chinese: 天壇; in pinyin: Tiāntán) in China is an imperial complex of religious buildings located in the southeastern part of central Beijing (Pekin), Chongwen District. Built in Ming Dynasty and renovated during the rein of Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong, the Temple of Heaven is one of the best masterpiece of ancient architecture.

The complex covers an area of 2.73 million square metres, extending in the east-west axis 1,700 metres and in the south-north axis 1,600. A small-scale portion of the premises is occupied by halls and altars, leaving majority of the space for vegetation. The dark green foliage decorates the compound, painting it in noble tinges.

Fact 1 - Who Built The Temple of Heaven in Beijing

Traveling back to Ming Dynasty, the temple complex was built from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing (Pekin). The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor in the 16th century.

Fact 2 - Why Was The Temple of Heaven Built

The building complex was built and visited by The Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest.

Fact 3 - Why is The Temple of Heaven Important to The Ming Emperor

A bad harvest could be translated as The Emperor fall from Heaven's favor and threaten the stability of his reign.

Fact 4 - What is The Temple of Heaven Made Out of

The Temple of Heaven is made out of two altars, namely, the Circular Mound Alter of Heaven and the Altar of Prayer for Harvest. The walls are make with two rectangles, one within the other.

The outer wall can get through only from the west, through the Circular Mound Altar Gate and Altar of Prayer Gate. Four gates are opened in the inner wall in four directions. Within the compound there are altars and meditation hall. The unique features of the Temple of Heaven, apart from the Circular Mound Altar and the Altar of Prayer, are the Meditation Hall and Imperial Music Studio.

Fact 5 - Temple of Heaven Architecture Explanation

Temple of Heaven Architecture Explanation

Temple of Heaven Architecture Explanation

The Temple of Heaven architecture is considered the one of the best achievement of traditional Chinese architecture. Its layout symbolizes the belief that heaven is round and earth square. The three buildings are built in a straight line. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests has three concentric circles of massive wood columns symbolizing the four seasons, 12 months, and 12 daily hours. In a remarkable effort of engineering, the columns supported the three roof levels and, in succession, a huge square brace (earth), circular architrave (heaven), and vast interior cupola. The Imperial Vault of Heaven is a smaller circular building built without crossbeams. Its dome is supported by complicated spanning work. The Circular Mound Altar is a triple-tiered white stone terrace enclosed by two sets of walls that are square outside and round inside.

Lastly, watch this couple of minutes Temple of Heaven video Youtube for more facts:

Juyongguan Pass Great Wall Map

Juyongguan Pass Great Wall Map
Juyongguan Pass Great Wall Map

Juyongguan Great Wall Photo
Juyongguan Great Wall Photo
Juyongguan Great Wall Picture
Juyongguan Great Wall Picture
From the , it is indicated that Juyong Pass Great Wall is an important section of China's 10-thousand-li Great Wall. Juyongguan Great Wall in Chinese is "居庸关长城".

The Juyongguan Pass Great Wall map show a panoramic view of the great wall Juyongguan. The slopes on both sides of Ju Yong Guan Pass are carpeted by a dense growth of foliage. The ravine is flanked by mountains with brooks flowing all year around.

The Juyongguan pass had many different names during former Chinese dynasties. However, the name "Juyongguan" was used by more than three dynasties. It was first used in the Qin Dynasty when Emperor Qinshihuang ordered the building of the Great Wall. Juyongguan Great Wall is also known as one of the Eight Famous Scenic Spots in Beijing of China, since the Qing Dynasty. Strategically located and difficult to access, Juyongguan Great Wall was named "the most magnificent pass in the world" in ancient times.

Juyongguan Pass Great Wall map out the auxiliary structures with different functions-southern ans northern arched citadels towers, water gates, together with the pass, it formed a complete and tight millitary defense system.

Entering Juyongguan Pass, you will see a platform called "Cloud Terrace", the terrace of Crossing-Street Dagoba dating from the Yuan dynasty. Which is an exquisite masterpiece of Yuan stone carving art. In 1961, "Juyongguan Pass-Cloud Terrace" was announced as a key national cultural heritage protection site.

In 1987 China's 10-thousand-li Great Wall was listed as Word Heritage by UNESCO World Heritage Committee . In 2001, Juyongguan Pass Great Wall was evaluated "AAAA Tourism Area" by National Tourism Adinistration.

Juyongguan Pass Great Wall How to Get There

Taxi from Beijing: A round-trip taxi should cost less than ¥400, driver's fee for waiting included. This could be split four ways. Here is the address: G6 Jingzang Expressway Exit, Changping, Beijing. Here is the address in Chinese to show the driver: 居庸关长城门口, 北京市昌平区昌平县.

Bus from Beijing: You could also take a bus all the way. Take Bus 345 at get off at Shahe. At Shahe, take Bus 昌 68 that goes all the way to Juyong Pass. Make sure the bus has the 昌 (Chāng) symbol.

Alternatively, take Bus No.919 from Deshengmen and get off at the 6th stop of North Nankou Lukou (南口路口北). Then change for the local Bus No. Chang 68 (昌68) and alight at Juyongguan Bus Terminal. The whole public transport plus walking takes about 3 hours, 11 yuan.

Juyongguan Pass ticket price is RMB 45 during season and RMB 40 for off season. The opening hours are 08:30-16:30, hiking time is around 2-4 hours.

The Juyongguan Pass Great Wall map will alsoo show you the way-in and way-out, ticketing booth, toilet location, shopping area, tourist center, clinic, public telephone, snack bar, parking, guard, postal service and it office.