Temple of Heaven

NEXT Wonder - Baishui Terrace
Clickable China Wonder map
China MENU

Why the
Temple of Heaven
is special

The Temple of Heaven is an architecturally splendid set of religious buildings used for sacrificial ceremonies and prayers by the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Temple of Heaven
tips & insights

House of Prayer
for Good Harvest

The most famous and beautiful of the Temple of Heaven buildings is the House of Prayer for Good Harvest (see photo).

Esteemed
This masterpiece of Ming architecture is widely considered to be the finest of China's many outstanding temples. It is praised for its perfect proportions, its intricately painted ceiling, and its triple conical roofs adorned with glazed blue tiles symbolizing heaven

Misnomer
It is sometimes erroneously referred to as "The Temple of Heaven" but that term defines the entire temple and park complex.

Construction

Tiantan (Chinese name for the Temple of Heaven) was built in the early 15th century and was later renovated and enhanced several times.

National monuments

In the mid-20th century it was designated a public park and the buildings were declared national monuments.

NEXT China wonder

Forbidden City
Great Wall of China
Hong Kong Harbor
Lijiang & Shangri-La
Li River Cruise
Mount Everest [with Nepal]
Potala Palace of Lhasa
Qin Terra Cotta Warriors
Yangtze River Cruise

Hanging Monastery
Lama Temple
Leshan Great Buddha
Pudong/Shanghai Skyline
Shanghai Museum
Summer Palace
Suzhou Gardens & Canals
Temple of Heaven

Baishui Terrace
Bund River Front
Chengde Mountain Resort
Dazu Rock Carvings
Ganden Monastery
Hong Kong Restaurants & Shops
Huangshan Mountain Range
Jade Buddha Temple
Jiayuguan Fort
Jiuzhaigou
Jokhang Temple
Kaifeng Historical Sites
Labrang Monastery
Long Ji Rice Terraces
Longmen Caves
Mogao Caves
Mount Taishan
Pingyao Ancient City
Reed Flute Cave
Sanjiang Bridges
Sera Monastery
Shanghai Old City
Shenyang Imperial Palace
Shibaozhai Temple
Shouxi Lake
Silk Road
Stone Forest
Tashilumpo Monastery
Three Gorges Dam
Three Pagodas
Tiananmen Square
Tian Tan Buddha Po Lin
Tiger Leaping Gorge
West Lake
Wild Goose Pagodas
Wudang Ancient Complex
Wulingyuan Scenic Areas
Xi'an City Walls
Xishuangbanna
Yangshou
Yuan Yang Rice Terraces
Yungang Caves

Clickable China Wonder map
China Wonder Guide - Home Page
Chinese Phrases for Travelers
Chinese Cuisine

Top 100 Wonders list
Top 1000 Wonders list
Wonder Guides to 17 countries
Special Topic Guides
Site Map
About Howard Hillman
What Readers Say
Email me your opinion

Explore my
candid country, region
and other travel guides
Click links for tips & insights

©2009 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications