Built in the ninth year of Emperor Jiajing’s reign (1530) in a round shape with a double-eaved roof, it was the main hall of the Vault of Heaven of the Circular Mound Altar, housing the Gods’ tablets to be used at the ceremony of worshipping Heaven. It was renamed the Imperial Vault of Heaven in the 17th year of Emperor Jiajing’s reign (1538) and rebuilt into the present style in the 17th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1752).
With a height of 19.5 metres and a diameter of 15.6 metres, the hall is a finely interlaced wooden arch structure with a blue tile roof crowned with a gilded sphere, looking elegant and majestic. It has a caisson ceiling with a bluish-green design of a coiling gilded dragon playing with a pearl at the centre. It is indeed a masterpiece of ancient architecture in China.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
Built in the 18th year of Emperor Yongle’s reign (1420), the original hall, rectangular in shape, was first named the Great Hall for Sacrificial Rituals used to worship both Earth and Heaven. Rebuilt in the 24th year of Emperor Jiajing’s reign (1545) into a round hall with a roof of three eaves covered with blue, yellow and green glazed tiles respectively, symbolizing Heaven, Earth and the mortal world, it was renamed the Great Hall for Offering Sacrifices.
Reconstructed in the 16th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1751), it was surmounted by a triple roof with azure glazed tiles only, culminating in a gilded sphere, and designated the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, exclusively used to pray for good harvests in early spring (the first month of the lunar year).
With a height of 38.2 metres and a diameter of 24.2 metres, the hall is supported by immense pillars, symbolizing the four seasons, the 12 months of the year, the 12 time divisions of the day and night, and all the constellations.
