Temple of Heaven

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest

A view of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. It is the most famous temple in China and should be given high priority during your visit. The name Temple of Heaven, or Tian Tan, actually refers to a group of ceremonial buildings inside a walled park in southeast Beijing. They were built in the fifteenth century, restored in the eighteenth century under Qian Long, and in the twentieth century under the Communist government. The most important building in the grounds is the Qi Nain Dian, or Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. Here the emperor would go each year to spend the night fasting and in prayer. This marvel of geometry, art, and engineering, built without a single nail, measures 123 feet (37 1/2 meters) to the gilded orb on its topmost roof. In 1889 lightening struck this masterpiece, and it burned to the ground. Fortunately they quickly restored it to its original state.