Beijing

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October 18th 2013

Published: November 16th 2013

Beijing was the perfect city to begin our trip. It was, in many ways, the China I came to see: dense history, fantastic sights, good food, wonderful temples, interesting architecture. After a day exploring Beijing you're never left with with any doubt that you've been anywhere but ensconced within the Middle Kingdom, unlike certain other Chinese cities which can lure your imagination away ... Read Full Entry

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Jennifer

JenniferInternational

I'm a progressive vegetarian feminist currently residing in San Francisco and I live to travel. So far I've been around the United States and Canada; traveled briefly in Mexico and the Caribbean; done the tour of Western Europe; visited parts of South, East and Southeast Asia; and seen a bit of the Middle East and North Africa. The short list of places I'd like to go next is long. I hope those reading this blog will find themselves inspired towards their own explorations of this fascinating world. Voyager c'est vivre!... full info

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Hall of Prayers for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven Park

An Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing.

Jennifer at Hall of Prayers for Good Harvests at Temple of Heaven Park

Hall of Prayers for Good Harvests

Detail of Hall of Prayers for Good Harvests

Detail of Temple of Heaven Park

Note the apparent smog. Not the clearest day but still a lovely area to visit. A fairly large park, yet somehow still overrun with tourists, interspersed with locals practicing tai chi, practicing opera and playing board games.

Detail at Temple of Heaven Park

The blue tiles were something different after all the yellow tiles we saw on other historical Beijing buildings.

Imperial Vault of Heaven at Temple of Heaven Park

Circular Mound Alter at Temple of Heaven Park

It is an empty circular platform on three levels of marble stones, each decorated by lavishly carved dragons. Thanks to the design of the altar, the sound of the prayer will be reflected by the guardrail, creating significant resonance, which was supposed to help the prayer communicate with the Heaven. The Altar was built in 1530 and rebuilt in 1740.