Inside the Imperial Vault of Heaven at the Temple of Heaven Park.

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Imperial Vault of Heaven

Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South


Inside the Echo Wall, this ornate building was merely a storeroom, used to keep the spirit tablets of the gods and other materials used for the ceremonies that took place on the Round Altar just to the south.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South attractions

1. Echo Wall

0.03 MILES

Thanks to its unique acoustic properties, a quiet spoken word or two against this circular wall can be heard at the opposite point, some 65m away …

2. Round Altar

0.1 MILES

The present build dating to around 1540, this is the business end of the Temple of Heaven. Here on this open-air, raised platform (a circle within a…

3. Temple of Heaven Park

0.13 MILES

An oasis of methodical Confucian design, the 267-hectare Temple of Heaven Park is unique. It originally served as a vast stage for solemn rites performed…

4. Red Stairway Bridge

0.2 MILES

This grand walkway leads north from the Imperial Vault of Heaven to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

5. Temple of Heaven South Gate

0.27 MILES

Also known as the Zhaoheng Gate (昭亨门; Zhāohēng Mén) the emperor and entourage would enter the temple complex through here. It's now one of the four main…

7. Rose Garden

0.31 MILES

One of the most pleasant spots in the Temple of Heaven Park, especially when the roses are in bloom.

8. East Heavenly Gate

0.32 MILES

You'll pass through this ornamental portal if you are accessing the Temple of Heaven Park from the main east entrance.

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