Description of the attraction
The Temple of Heaven, due to the perfection of forms and popularity, has become one of the main symbols of Beijing.
Initially, the Temple of Heaven served as a universal one: prayers were held in it to the Thunderstorm, Clouds, Heaven, Earth, etc. Subsequently, it was decided to divide one large temple into several smaller ones. So, the Temple of Heaven was left on the outskirts of the city from the south. Rounded shapes have become a symbol of heavenly powers.
The Temple of the Earth was erected on the outskirts of the northern side, and its square forms became the personification of the forces of the Earth. This is in a sense connected with the beliefs of the ancients that the heavens are round, while the earth is square. Only a small part of the temple was occupied by altars and buildings, and the entire remaining area of the temple was made a park.
The name of the Tiantan Temple is correctly translated as "Altar of Heaven." Its construction was completed in 1421, as was the imperial palace. Once in the temple, emperors brought gifts to Heaven and earnestly prayed for the harvest.
The Temple of Heaven stands a short distance from the imperial palace itself. For five centuries, on the days of the winter solstice, the emperor, at the end of the strictest three days of fasting, visited the temple in order to bestow generous gifts on Heaven. Since ancient times, it is believed that only emperors who, according to local beliefs and traditions, have a divine origin, are worthy to talk to Heaven - that is why only he is allowed to turn to Heaven with a prayer for the prosperity of the country.
Unlike the yellow-red buildings of the Gugun Palace, blue predominates here, the shape of the altar is round - all this symbolizes Heaven, with which the emperor communicates. The main buildings of the complex can be called Qingyandian (Harvest Prayers), Huangqunyu (Great Sky), Zhaigong (Palace for fasting), etc.
Huangqiongyu Temple includes the famous “Threefold Echo Stone”. And the “Wall of Returning Sound” is remarkable for this: no matter how quietly you speak against the wall, the interlocutor on the opposite side of it clearly hears every word.
The adjacent park is an amazing place: coming here early in the morning, you can watch the lovers of traditional gymnastics, and in the evening you can meet musicians, singers, the locals have fun playing games - from cards to badminton.
