"Family footprints on unfamiliar trails—adventure is calling."
After leaving Jingshan Park, we caught a DiDi to our lunch spot near the Temple of Heaven. The cold wind whipped around us, and by then we were already very hungry, eager to reach the warmth of the restaurant.
DuYiChu ShaoMai (都一处烧麦馆)
This is a historic restaurant in Beijing, China, renowned for its traditional ShaoMai (steamed dumplings).
The ShaoMai at DuYiChu is famous for its thin, translucent wrappers and flavorful pork fillings, The dumplings are crafted to resemble blooming flowers, adding to their visual appeal. In addition to ShaoMai, the restaurant offers a variety of Beijing-style snacks and dishes, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
It is a MEATS MEAL for us because eating meat can help the body cope with cold winter conditions. Protein-rich foods like meat require more energy to digest, which produces heat and can make you feel warmer.
Stir‑fried innards in ginger and spring onion - The liver brings a slightly metallic, earthy depth; the tripe offers a chewy, almost nutty character; and the intestines contribute a savory, fatty undertone that coats the palate. Against this robust backdrop, the sharp bite of ginger cuts through with warmth and spice, while the spring onion adds a crisp, aromatic sweetness.
Guobaorou (锅包肉) - Another favourite dish of mine and my Mr - A treasure from northeastern China AKA dongbei — crispy, golden pork glazed in a lively sweet-sour sauce, with a texture that crackles and a flavor that dances. It is made from thin slices of pork, lightly battered and deep-fried until crisp, then quickly tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce. It’s often served over puffed rice or with a garnish of shredded vegetables and herbs like cilantro.
After a hearty meal, we proceed a few minutes' walk to reach the south gate of The Temple of Heaven.
Temple of Heaven (天坛)
The Temple of Heaven is one of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks, renowned for its architectural, astronomical, and acoustic wonders that inspire awe in every visitor. Located in Dongcheng District, this UNESCO World Heritage Site embodies centuries of wisdom and craftsmanship. Built during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it served as the sacred venue where emperors, regarded as “Sons of Heaven,” performed ceremonies to sacrifice to Heaven and pray for abundant harvests, health, and prosperity. Though these rituals have faded, the site continues to intrigue with its mysterious traditions. Every detail of its design — from the layout of halls and altars to the proportions of bricks, beams, and pillars — reflects profound symbolism and harmony, striving for the ultimate unity between heaven and humanity.
The Temple of Heaven offers two types of tickets for visitors:
1)Admission Ticket (Park Entry Only) provides entry to the park grounds, allowing you to wander through the cypress groves, explore the outer courtyards, and soak in the tranquil atmosphere. Prices vary by season, costing CNY 15 during the peak months from April to October and CNY 10 in the off season from November to March.
2)Combined Ticket includes access not only to the park but also to key sites such as the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Echo Wall. This ticket is priced at CNY 34 in peak season and CNY 28 in the off season.
The first attraction we came to :
Lingxingmen (棂星门)
The Lingxing Gates in the Temple of Heaven are an integral part of the Circular Mound Altar, which is the southernmost structure in the temple complex. These gates are arranged in groups of three openings, symbolizing the connection between Heaven and Earth. The design reflects ancient Chinese cosmology, where the middle opening, reserved for the "Heaven Great," is the largest, while the west opening is for the emperor, and the east opening is for accompanying personnel during worship ceremonies.
The gates are surrounded by walls with green glazed tiles, representing the harmony between Heaven (circular inner wall) and Earth (square outer wall). This architectural arrangement embodies the ancient belief that "Heaven is round and Earth is square". The Lingxing Gates played a crucial role in the sacrificial rituals performed by emperors to honor Heaven and seek blessings for the empire.
Circular Mound Altar (圜丘)
Also known as the Altar of Heaven, it was first constructed in the ninth year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1530). This was the site where emperors conducted the grand winter solstice ceremonies to worship Heaven. The red palace walls adorned with blue-green glazed tiles , surrounded by four grand gates, named Chengzhen Gate, Taiyuan Gate, Guangli Gate, and Zhaoheng Gate.
The Circular Mound, also known as the Altar for Worshiping Heaven (祭天台), was originally a round platform made of blue glazed tiles. During the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was modified with white marble railings and a surface of greenish stone.
Heavenly Heart Stone (天心石)
Located at the center of the Circular Mound Altar, this slightly raised stone marks the focal point where emperors stood during rituals to amplify their prayers to Heaven. The altar's design, with concentric rings of marble slabs, symbolizes the connection between Heaven, Earth, and humanity.
POV: Long ago, on the winter solstice at precisely 4 a.m., the emperor would visit the Temple of Heaven to begin his solemn prayers. Back in those ancient days, the landscape around the temple was untouched by towering buildings—only low wooden houses stood quietly under the sky.
As the emperor stood upon the sacred round stone plate of "Heavenly Heart Stone", reciting his prayer, his voice traveled through the stone's unique structure, rebounding back in a crisp, clear resonance. Surrounded by silence, the sound echoed with such purity that people believed this was the very place where one could speak directly to heaven.
Standing on the Circular Mound Altar, you feel the cool marble beneath your feet radiating a quiet symmetry, its concentric rings pulling your gaze outward and then back to the center, as though reminding you of the cosmic axis it represents.
The vast sky above seems to lean closer, pressing down with a sense of immensity, while the cypress groves surrounding the Temple of Heaven complex frame the horizon in solemn green.
The geometry of stone becomes the geometry of feeling, drawing you into a meditative rhythm where awe, serenity, and history converge.
Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇)
Located to the north of the Circular Mound Altar (圜丘坛), this structure primarily serves as a repository for spirit tablets. The building is meticulously designed and exquisitely crafted. The roof of the hall is covered with blue tiles and topped with a golden dome, while the interior features a beautifully intricate coffered ceiling.
In front of the main hall, there are five accompanying halls that house wooden tablets dedicated to Qing Dynasty emperors and their associated deities. The Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇) stands 19.5 meters tall with a diameter of 15.6 meters. It features a wooden arched structure with a blue-tiled golden dome. As the main hall of the Circular Mound Altar's heavenly repository, its coffered ceiling is adorned with a green-and-blue color scheme, showcasing intricate golden dragon patterns, with a central design of a large golden coiled dragon.
Danbi Stone (丹陛石)
Located on the steps outside the hall of Imperial Vault of Heaven, there is this beautiful stone that engraved with two dragons playing with a pearl.
The Danbi Stone (丹陛石), also known as the "Imperial Stair Stone," is a significant architectural feature in ancient Chinese palaces and temples, including the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. It is a large, rectangular stone embedded in the center of the staircases leading to important halls or altars. The Danbi Stone is often intricately carved with auspicious patterns, such as dragons, clouds, and mountains, symbolizing imperial authority and divine connection.
In ancient times, the Danbi Stone was reserved exclusively for the emperor's use. During ceremonial processions, the emperor would ascend the stairs over the Danbi Stone, while others were required to use the side steps. This practice emphasized the emperor's supreme status and the sacred nature of his role.
Three Echo Stones (三音石)
The Three Echo Stones are a fascinating acoustic feature located near the Imperial Vault of Heaven in the Temple of Heaven, Beijing. These stones are arranged in a specific pattern along the pathway leading to the vault. When you stand on the first stone and clap or speak, you'll hear one echo. On the second stone, you'll hear two echoes, and on the third stone, you'll hear three echoes.
The Echo Wall (回音壁)
The Echo Wall in the Temple of Heaven was constructed during the Ming Dynasty, specifically in the 15th century, as part of the overall design of the Temple of Heaven complex. It was built to enhance the acoustics of the Imperial Vault of Heaven and remains a fascinating example of ancient Chinese architectural ingenuity. It is the enclosing wall of the Imperial Vault of Heaven, standing 3.72 meters tall and with a diameter of 61.5 meters. This wall exhibits an acoustic effect due to its exceptionally precise construction. The curvature of the wall is perfectly uniform, and its surface is hard, smooth, and seamless, minimizing sound absorption. Consequently, sound waves experience very little attenuation during transmission.
While whispering beyond 6 meters is generally inaudible, the Echo Wall allows sound to travel much farther, making it a remarkable acoustic phenomenon.
The Echo Wall surrounds the Imperial Vault of Heaven. It is constructed with meticulously joined polished bricks, creating a smooth and even surface. The wall's curvature is highly precise, allowing it to refract sound waves in a unique and regular manner.
 |
| It was too crowded to snap, so I got it from internet. |
Danbi Bridge (丹陛桥)
As you walk along the pathway of the bridge, you will eventually be realised that it is actually elevated! Located in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests this bridge is also known as Haiban Avenue (海墁大道), was first constructed in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420). This wide and smooth path, known as the Danbi Bridge, serves as the main passage connecting the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar.
Beneath the bridge lies an arched tunnel, which was used during sacrificial ceremonies as the passage for livestock heading to the Divine Kitchen (宰牲亭). This tunnel is also referred to as the "Gate of Hell" (鬼门关).
Gate of Hell (鬼门关)
The "Gate of Hell" (鬼门关) is not an official or historical feature of the Temple of Heaven, it is actually refer to the kitchen where the servants and cook will brought livetocks into this gate to prepare a feast to offer to the heaven.
This location was historically used during sacrificial ceremonies. Animals intended for offerings, such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, were brought through this passage for slaughter. The term "Gate of Hell" symbolically reflects the fate of these animals—they entered alive but left as sacrificial offerings, hence the ominous name.
Continue our walk on the elevated Danbi Bridge which is lead us to another point of interest.
We are heading to the star of the park: Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests(祈年殿)
What a stunning fragment of traditional Chinese architecture, rich in symbolism and craftsmanship. The red wall anchors the composition with its bold, imperial hue—historically associated with vitality and protection. Above it, the green glazed roof tiles gleam in orderly rows, each cylindrical tile capped with intricate motifs, culminating in mythical creatures perched at the corners. These figures, often dragons or phoenixes, were believed to ward off evil and invite auspicious energy.
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests(祈年殿)
Located in the northern part of the Temple of Heaven, it was first built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420). In front of the hall, two rows of tall trees stand lush and green.
Grilling Stove (燎炉)
This green colour stove is known for grilling livestocks for prayer purposes.
Ancient Trees
The Temple of Heaven is famous not only for its grand architecture but also for its vast collection of ancient trees, many of which are centuries old. These trees form one of the largest and most precious living “museums” of old-growth cypress and pine in Beijing.
And just like that, we’ve arrived at the final stop on this blog journey—thank you so much for walking alongside me through every story, snapshot, and sensory moment. If you’d like to continue exploring, I’ve gathered links to my other posts from this trip below. Each one offers a different glimpse into the places, flavors, and feelings that made this adventure unforgettable:
In the meantime, I’d love to share a few reflections from our earlier journeys through China. Below you’ll find links to blog posts from past trips—each one capturing a different slice of the country’s charm, from quiet shrines to bustling street corners.
It would mean so much if you had a moment to dive into a few more of the unforgettable adventures we've shared. Each one holds its own story, waiting to be rediscovered.
You're warmly invited to explore my other travel blogs, featuring adventures across France, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, and even a few unforgettable cruises.
Our next adventure will take my MR and me back to Northern Europe — a return to Denmark, where familiar streets and cozy corners await us. From there, we’ll carve out a few days to experience the raw beauty of Iceland, with its glaciers, geysers, and windswept landscapes. And as the seasons turn, spring will bring another chapter: a journey to Taiwan with all six of us together. It will be a time for shared meals, bustling night markets, and family laughter echoing through temples and mountain trails.
To stay connected and catch the latest updates, feel free to follow me on social media: Facebook page: followblueginger, Instagram page : followblueginger , TikTok page: bluegingerkaren and Tumblr page :followblueginger.
Thanks for being part of the journey!
"I travel because seeing photos in books and brochures was not good enough for me, To be there, that was everything"
No comments:
Post a Comment