Tiantan or the Temple of Heaven lies in the Chongwen district of Beijing, south of Tiananmen Square and dates from the 15th century.

Dating from 1420, a time when many other important structures were constructed in Beijing, Tiantan was an important place of ceremonial ritual for Ming and Qing emperors and today is a major site within the city.

The Temple of Heaven sits in a park of the same name and is a wonderful place to relax, stroll and meet local people. It is a meeting place each early morning as locals come to practice tai chi, breathing exercises and to dance as a way of keeping fit.

There are several parts to the temple itself. The Palace of Abstinence is located near the western entrance and it was here that emperors held a 3-day fast during summer and winter solstices. The Altar of Heaven is built entirely of white marble, has 4 entrances and a flight of 9 steps leading down in all directions. At the centre of the upper terrace is a round stone surrounded by nine concentric rings of stones.

The main building here however is the Prayer Hall for Good Harvests. This distinctive circular building is a symbol of the city and rises in 3 grand tiers, dominating its surroundings. 4 large pillars in the centre are known as the Dragon Well Pillars with each pillar representing one of the four seasons.