Sunset Glow over Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven was once the imperial place where the worship for the god of heaven was held by emperors in Ming and Qing dynasties.

Today Temple of Heaven has been expanded into a huge leisure park, a great place to relax and do all kinds of exercises ( dancing )and activities (playing chess). But the north-south axis is still dominated by the Temple of Heaven itself as hundreds of years ago which is mainly composed of three parts – The Hall of Prayer for Harvest, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar.

In Ming and Qing dynasties, at Winter Solstice emperors will come here to pray for the harvest. Now people flock here to touch the history and appreciate the beauty of Chinese traditional architecture.

Visiting Temple of Heaven at different times of a day brings you different views of the architectures and natural beauty as well as people watch. Visiting Temple of Heaven in the early morning is quite interesting with locals doing various kinds of light physical activities you can imagine, like singing, dancing, playing instruments, playing chess, practicing kung fu, tai chi,etc.

Come here in the late afternoon in a clear day and take beautiful pictures of Temple of Heaven under golden sunset glow. For how to visit Temple of Heaven ( entrance tickets, opening time, etc.) , you check out the link Tips for Visiting Temple of Heaven for more information.

Now follow me to enter the south gate to Temple of Heaven and stroll along the axis for a photography tour during your Beijing tour.

If you visit Temple of Heaven from south to north along the axis starting from the south gate, the first part you will see is the Circular Mound Altar where the emperors held ceremonies to pray to the god of heaven for harvest. Actually “Temple of Heaven” in Chinese literally means “Sky Altar”which refers to the Circular Mound Altar.

The distant view of the Circular Mound Altar under the sunset glow. It is a three-layer of terraces with marble handrails.

On the top of the three-layer altar. The heart of the altar is said to be linked to the heaven, a place to pray to the god of heaven. Many visitors would stand in the heart of the altar for a life-time picture.

The sunset over the terraces of the Circular Altar

Standing on the Circular Mound Altar and looking at the Imperial Vault of Heaven in the south which is turning golden and brilliant.

A close look at the Imperial Vault of Heaven under the sunset glow.

Passing by the Imperial Vault of Heaven, I walk along the axis towards the Hall of Prayer for Harvest.

walk along the axis towards the Hall of Pray for Harvest.

Unfortunately, the door to the Hall of Pray for Harvest is closed and I have to take the pictures around the Hall of Prayer for Harvest. The solemn red-colored building with upturned eaves and mysterious animals on the top against the sunset glow.