Temple of Heaven - traditional temple in central Beijing
Last Update: 8th October 2020
What is the Temple of Heaven?
Originally built in 1420, Temple of Heaven was finally completed during the Qianlong Period (1736 – 1796) of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912) after continuous renovation and expansion. It is the site where the emperors of the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing Dynasties sacrificed the Emperor God.
Temple of Heaven Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Tiantan (天坛)
- Area: 273 hectares
- Things to do there: Photography, Chinese Culture, Architecture
- Who visits: Photographers, Chinese Culture Lovers, Architecture Learners
- Time required: 3 – 4 x Hours
Interested in visiting the Temple of Heaven during a Beijing Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Temple of Heaven, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.
What to expect at the Temple of Heaven
Composed of the inner altar and the outer altar, the Temple of Heaven is known for its rigorous architectural layout, peculiar architectural structure and magnificent architectural decoration. The main buildings are located in the inner altar, including Yuanqiu Altar and Huangqiongyu in the south, Qinian Hall and Huangqian Hall in the north. The four buildings are connected by Danbi Bridge. Old cypress in the outer alter stands around the inner altar. In the southwest of the outer altar stands the Shenyueshu where people practised sacrifice rituals and the learners of sacrifice music and dancing were trained.
Yuanqiu Altar is the venue where the emperors sacrificed the God of Heaven at Dongzhi. The main buildings there are Yuanqiu, Huangqiongyu, Pei Hall, Sanku and the Pavilion for Killing Cattle. In the buildings, the gods relevant to weather are worshiped, such as the God of Daming (the sun), the God of Yeming (the moon) and so on.
Qinian Hall is supported by 28 Phoebe zhennanS. Lee pillars. Among the 28 pillars, the 4 ones in the middle stands for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Other pillars represent 12 months and 12 two-hour periods of the day respectively.
Best time to visit the Temple of Heaven
The best time to visit Temple of Heaven is in the morning during its opening hours.
How to get to the Temple of Heaven
As Temple of Heaven is located in downtown, there are many options.
- Rent a vehicle to the Temple of Heaven. This is the quickest and most direct option.
- Take Bus 7, Bus 17, Bus 20, Bus 35, Bus 36, Bus 53, Bus 39, Bus 41, Bus 43, Bus 60, Bus 69, Bus 71, Bus 105, Bus 106, Bus 106, Bus 110, Bus 120, Bus, 122, Bus 525, Bus 610, Bus 800, Bus 685, Bus 684, Bus 687, Bus 707, Bus 814, and Bus 958 to the Stop of Tianqiao (天桥站), the Stop of Tiantan Beimen (天坛北门), the Stop of Tiantan Ximen (天坛西门) or the Stop of Tiantan Nanmen (天坛南门).
Additional Temple of Heaven Travel Advice
- Opening hours for the buildings in the area: 08:00 – 17:30 (March 1 – June 30); 08:00 – 18:00 (July 1 – October 31); 08:00 – 17:00 (November 1 – February 28/29).
- Opening hours for the four gates: 06:00 – 22:00
- As at 8th October 2020, from April 1 to October 31, the entrance pricing to Temple of Heaven Park is 15 CNY per person; children between 1.2m (1.2m included) and 1.4m (1.4m not included) are charged 7.5 CNY per person. From November 1 to March 31, entrance pricing is 10 CNY per person; children between 1.2m (1.2m included) and 1.4m (1.4m not included) are charged 5 CNY per person. Children under 1.2m (1.2m not included) are free of charge.
- From April 1 to October 31, the combo ticket (including entrance pricing to Temple of Heaven Park, Qinian Hall, Huiyinbi and Yuanqiu) is 34 CNY per person; children between 1.2m (1.2m included) and 1.4m (1.4m not included) are charged 17 CNY per person. From November 1 to March 31, the combo ticket is 28 CNY per person; children between 1.2m (1.2m included) and 1.4m (1.4m not included) are charged 14 CNY per person. Children under 1.2m (1.2m not included) are free of charge.
- The entrance pricing to Qinian Hall, Huiyinbi and Yuanqiu is 20 CNY per person; children between 1.2m (1.2m included) and 1.4m (1.4m not included) are charged 10 CNY per person. Children under 1.2m (1.2m not included) are free of charge.
- The entrance pricing to Shenyueshu is 10 CNY per person;children between 1.2m (1.2m included) and 1.4m (1.4m not included) are charged 5 CNY per person. Children under 1.2m (1.2m not included) are free of charge.
- For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
- The Temple of Heaven offers multi-language audio-guide, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, and Spanish.
Interested in visiting the Temple of Heaven on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Temple of Heaven, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.