Foreigners Visiting Beijing—Temple of Heaven

Contrary to its name, the Temple of Heaven is not a single temple but rather a vast park containing a stunning complex of temple buildings. On this serene land, you will find three main structures: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Circular Mound Altar. These architectural marvels are elegantly aligned along a north-south axis, providing a visually harmonious experience.

The Temple of Heaven, locally known as “Tiantan Park,” was established in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty and served as a sacred site for Chinese emperors. Rulers of the Ming and subsequent Qing dynasties performed solemn ceremonies here, praying to Heaven for abundant harvests.

Exploring this historical gem might seem overwhelming, but don’t worry! Our “Temple of Heaven Tourism Guide” is designed to help you navigate efficiently. Whether you’re seeking the best route or wish to learn about the park’s rich history, this guide will serve as your roadmap.

Your experiences and insights are invaluable to us. If you have any questions or would like to share your latest visit updates, we encourage you to leave a comment or provide feedback. Together, we can ensure this guide remains a reliable resource for all future travelers.

Embrace history, marvel at the architecture, and enjoy the tranquility of Tiantan Park. Your Beijing journey starts here!

Tip 1: Rise Early to Experience the Local Atmosphere

While the temples and historical buildings within the park are generally open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (with variations depending on the season), the park itself opens earlier at 6:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM (also subject to seasonal changes). Many locals hold annual passes, allowing convenient access to the park.

Arrive around 7:00 or 7:30 in the morning, especially on Sunday mornings, and you’ll see locals—mostly middle-aged or elderly—engaged in various light physical activities, such as singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, chess, practicing kung fu, or tai chi. After 9:30 AM, the area will be crowded with tour groups.

Tip 2: ABCs of Historical Buildings in the Park

Prepare a travel guide or hire a Beijing tour guide to explore the temple complex within the park. From north to south, don’t miss the three historical buildings: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Circular Mound Altar.

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests: Here, emperors made animal sacrifices and burned incense to pray for favorable weather and a good harvest.

Imperial Vault of Heaven: A circular building with a single-eaved roof, constructed on a marble base. It is located to the south of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

Within the courtyard, there is a circular wall, commonly known as the Echo Wall. This curved wall creates remarkable acoustic effects; for example, you can whisper something at one end, and the sound will travel to the other end.

Circular Mound Altar: Used for worshipping Heaven during the winter solstice, its main structure is a massive circular marble platform called the Circular Mound Altar.

Tip 3: Don’t Miss the Cypress Grove

Always remember, this is a vast park—a giant garden. The ancient cypress trees are worth a closer look.

Some of these trees are over 600 years old. When Dr. Henry Kissinger visited the Temple of Heaven, he remarked that while the U.S. could rebuild the Temple of Heaven, it could never recreate these trees!

Tip 4: Choose the Right Entrance

Originally, the Temple of Heaven had only one main gate facing west. However, after it was opened as a park in 1949, entrances were also established on the north, south, and east sides.

So now, it mainly has four gates—East, South, West, and North. Both the East Gate and the South Gate are recommended.

East Gate: If you want to see locals engaging in various morning activities, it’s suggested that you enter through the East Gate, as most of these activities take place nearby.

The East Gate entrance is also close to Line 5 of the subway. If you enter through the East Gate, the walking route is East Gate—Long Corridor—Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests—Imperial Vault of Heaven—Circular Mound Altar—South Gate.

After finishing the temple tour along the north-south route, you can head back and exit again through the East Gate, then visit the Hongqiao Market across the street.

South Gate: Entering from the South Gate allows you to walk along the central route to visit the Circular Mound Altar—Imperial Vault of Heaven, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests—Long Corridor—North Gate or East Gate (Hongqiao Market).

Tip 5: How to Get to the Temple of Heaven

If you’re visiting the Temple of Heaven from the East Gate, take subway Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen Station (East Gate of the Temple of Heaven), then exit from Exit A, which is near the East Gate entrance. To take a bus to the East Gate, you can try routes 6, 35, 36, 39, 41, or 43…

If you’re using the South Gate, you can also take a taxi or bus routes 36, 120, 122, 800, 803, or 958.

Temple of Heaven Address: No. 7, Tiantan Inner Dongli, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100061
Phone: 010-67012483 (Daytime)
010-67013036 (Nighttime)

Tip 6: Opening Hours of the Buildings and the Park Itself

Peak Season: (April 1 – October 31 each year)
Off-Season: (November 1 – March 31 of the following year)

Park Opening Hours

• Peak Season: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Off-Season: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
• Park Clearing Time: 10:00 PM

Opening Hours of Historical Buildings within the Park
(Mainly the Imperial Vault of Heaven, Circular Mound Altar, and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests)

• Peak Season: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Off-Season: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Additionally, the park’s North Divine Kitchen, North Slaughterhouse, Fasting Palace, and Divine Music Administration of Harmony and Shao Music are included.

These attractions are closed every Monday (except on public holidays).

Tip 7: Temple of Heaven Tickets

Basically, there are two types of tickets—tickets for park entry only and combination tickets that grant access to the park as well as the three main historical buildings within the park.

Ticket:
Ticket prices are 15 RMB (April to November) and 10 RMB (December to March). With this ticket, you can enter the park, watch locals’ morning exercises, and admire the historical buildings from the outside.

Combination Ticket:
Ticket prices are 34 RMB (April to November) and 28 RMB (December to March). The combination ticket allows you to enter the park and visit the three fee-based historical sites within the park—Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven, and Circular Mound Altar.

Notes:

1. Shenle Administration within the park:
   Ticket: 10 RMB (purchased separately)
2. During the pandemic, please use WeChat to purchase tickets online. If you cannot use WeChat, park staff will assist you in using it. If you still cannot use it, you can purchase tickets on-site.
3. Official website: Temple of Heaven Park (Chinese only)

Tip 8: Self-Guided Audio Tour and On-Site Tour Guides

Self-Guided Audio Tour Service

• Location: Available at four entry points
• Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Languages: Chinese, Cantonese, English, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Spanish
• Rental Fees:
  A) Chinese: 100 RMB deposit, refunded upon return of the device; 10 RMB rental fee.
  B) Other languages: 100 RMB deposit, refunded upon return of the device; 40 RMB rental fee.

On-Site Tour Guide

• Location: South Gate of the park
• Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Languages: Chinese, English
• Fees:
  A) Chinese: 100 RMB for groups of 5 people or fewer, 200 RMB for groups of more than 5 people.
  B) English: An additional 50 RMB fee.
• Note: Tour guides must be booked two days in advance; contact number: 67028866 (Tour Guide Team)

Tip 9: Wear Clothes Suitable for Hot Weather

Although there are many trees in the park, all of them are arranged on the sides of the north-south axis. Therefore, during the wide-axis tour of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven, and Circular Mound Altar—there is not a single tree.

In summer, be prepared with a sun umbrella, water bottle, and comfortable walking shoes.

Tip 10: Wear Comfortable Shoes

The park is huge. It’s recommended to wear your most comfortable shoes. The walking is long!