The Temple of Heaven
Beijing, China
April 2010  

Click for larger image
A glimpse of the Temple from within the park.
See Trip Plan Below

View Slide Show

The Temple of Heaven, in the history, was the Royal Temple for the Emperor to hold special ceremony. It has now been a public neighbourhood park, where citizens can use it as a dancing floor, sports stadium and more.

I visited the Temple, by accident, after sunset because I walked in the wrong direction from the subway station. But instead, we ran into the park without knowing it is open to the public until midnight as local amentities. People were jogging, play badminton, kicking balls, and even social dancing after sunset.

The main temple is in the center of the park, the scenery was spectacular at night. The lighting created a mystic feeling. I bumped into an old men flying his gigantic kite, and then 2 young children singing in the public. See below for the video.

So I visited the Temple on another day during daytime, where I can still see local people inside the park, enjoying some folk dances, and live band performance, while groups of tourists headed towards the main Temple. And I was one of them.


Click for larger image
The sun was just setting from behind.

Click for larger image
Click for larger image

Click for larger image
My favourite picture.

Click for larger image

While we were enjoying the night view, we ran into a family with 2 girls, where one was so eager to sing for everyone.


Click to play video
Little girls singing ... (6.31 MB file).

Click for larger image
Yes, this one is a big kite, with LED lights.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click to play video
Flying a kite at night (6.13 MB file).

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
Wow, .... I gotta come back and see it in the daytime.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
The fire cages around the Temple.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
The gutter is a dragon. It represents a dragon split water out.
In chinese culture, this praise the Emperor's pride.

Click for larger image
Look at how they built the center of the altar.
Click for larger image
I gotta sit in the center of the altar.

Click for larger image
The Temple of Heaven is a public local park. You can do whatever you want in there, including playing your band music.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
The main temple.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
Oh, what is that ? He is a boy.
Because of the one-child policy in China, it is common for parents to show they have a boy.
It's driving a Rolls-Royce to show off. It is a status.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click for larger image
Taken in the 1950s. Chairman Mao was there!
Click for larger image




Location: Beijing, China






← The Olympic Venues       798 Artist Zone →