2. Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven was first constructed in the 18th year of Emperor Yongle's reign (1420 AD) of Ming dynasty. Emperors in Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to heaven and prayed for harvest every year in the Temple of Heaven. Its architecture is renowned for its rigorous layout, unique structure and magnificent decoration. It covers about 2.7 million square meters, which is the largest existing altar complex in China.
Address: No.2 Tiantan East Rd, Dongcheng District of Beijing
Main Attractions: Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven, Altar for Good Harvest, Seventy-two Rooms.
Website: http://en.tiantanpark.com/default.aspx
Tel: +86-10-67028866
Tickets:
Peak season (April-October): admission ticket CNY 15, combined ticket (including admission ticket, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound and echo wall) CNY 34.
Off season (November-March): admission ticket CNY 10, combined ticket (including admission ticket, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound and echo wall) CNY 28.
Combined ticket for the attractions (including Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Circular Mound and echo wall): CNY 20, Admission ticket for the Divine Music Administration: CNY 10.
Opening hours:
(1) Four Gates:
Opening time: peak season 6:00, off season 6:30; last ticket sold at: 20:00；
Clearing time: 21:00；Closing time: 22:00
(2) The attractions are opened at 8:00 every day:
Closing time for peak season: 17:30 (last combined ticket sold at 16:00 at the gate)
Closing time for off season: 17:00 (last combined ticket sold at 15:30 at the gate)
(3) Peak season is from April 1-October 31
(4) Off season is from November 1-March 31
How to get there
By subway: take subway line 5 to Tiantandongmen (East Gate of the Temple of Heaven) station (Exit A2), then walk 420m to the destination
By bus:
To the South gate of the temple of heaven: Route 36 / 958 / 122.
West gate: Route 2 / 20 / 120.
North gate: Route 6 / 34 / 35 / 36 / 106 / 110.
East gate: Route 6 / 34 / 35 / 36 / 39 / 43 / 60 / 116 / 128 / 525 / 623 / 684.