Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Beijing Trip day 4 - The Temple of Heaven

Moving to day four in Beijing. Second stop of the day after visiting the oldest mosque in Beijing was the Temple of Heaven. This temple was built in 1420 to be the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worship Heaven and offer sacrifices. In return they want more harvests and favorable rain.

Most of the structures were constructed in the Qing Dynasty in compliance with the layout system set in Jiajing's reign of the Ming DYnasty. It is built so that the compound wall done in a semi-circle in the north and a square in the south. Surrounded by double annular walls, the temple is divided into an inner part and an outer part.

The whole area is 273 hectares.

Ancient architectural complexes stand in the inner part including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Circular Mound Altar etc while the outer part lies Divine Music Office to rehearse ritual music for ceremonies. (source is from the information board found at the temple)

As usual, we had to wait for Ms Lili to get our tickets. No tourist place is free to enter without a ticket.

I wonder how foreigners gonna understand the writings above the counter?
It was just a brief walk down the aisle and upwards to the Temple of Heaven. Many people were present during that time. Some were there to hang-out with fellow friends and I noticed the majority of the local visitors were elderly people!

Clockwise from upper left: Temple from afar, Temple from the side, Fie on the stairs,
and Fie and I at the front of the temple.
This my friend, is the great Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Built in 1420 and originally rectangular in shape was used to worship both Earth and Heaven. Rebuilt in 1545 into a round hall with a triple-eaved roof, each covered with blue, yello and green glazed tiles respectively, symbolizes Heaven., Earth and the mortal world. The hall is supported by immense pillar which symbolizes the four seasons, the 12 months of the year, the 12 time divisions of the day and night and all the constellations. It is the only existing example of the ancient architectural style of Mingdang. (info from the information boards at the building)

Jianxi, a popular game among the Beijing people at the park. See the "ball"?
On our way out, we walked through a wide pathway where it's crowded with people playing Jianzi. A traditional Asian game in which players aim to keep a heavily weighted shuttlecock in the air using their feet and other parts of the body except their hands. It was interesting to watch them play. Hehe.

Next stop is Jingshan Park! -- next entry.

Thank you for reading!
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7 comments:

redlomo said... [Reply]

great place to visit which can visit there soon

Jard The Great said... [Reply]

@redlomo.. hehe.. wish u can visit soon oso.

y.Ho said... [Reply]

heys, nice place :) Must be fun there in beijing

hcvvorld of Travels, Lifestyle and Photography said... [Reply]

i've been here as well..the place is a great place for social activities together :D

Jard The Great said... [Reply]

@yHo... very nice. hehe. it's good to know that the beautiful parks in beijing are used in a good way

@hcworld... yes true! saw lots of people there during various activities!

Unknown said... [Reply]

cari jugak mana ball dia.. rupanya yang warna putih tu.. ;)

Jard The Great said... [Reply]

@nurul Akmal.. hehehe. rajinnya cari ball dia.