Temple of Heaven Park, Chongwen
Located just South of Qianmen Dajie. This is where the Emperor would make sacrifices and pray to heaven and his ancestors at the winder solstice.
Round Altar
Constructed in 1530 and rebuilt in 1740. Arranged in three tiers, its geometry is arranged around the number 9.
Heavenly Centre Stone: As the surface of the uppermost terrace of the Circular Mound is paved with nine concentric rings of stone slabs, the round stone slab in the centre is called the Heavenly Centre Stone. It is surrounded by 9 stones in the first ring, 18 in the second, up to 81 in the 9th ring, symbolising the Nine Heavens. If one speaks standing on the Heavenly Centre Stone, their voice will be particularly resonant and sonorous. - from the information plaque on site.
Brick Walls surrounding the park.
Brick structure
Before the ceremony of worshipping Heaven began, a clearly washed and shaved calf was put on the stove and burned with pine twigs and reed in order to welcome the God of Heaven - a ritual of giving a warm welcome of the Imperial God by burning firewood. After the ceremony was completed, all the offerings and the ceremonial placards and silk scrolls were transferred to the stove with great respect and to be burnt while the emperor stood by watching the process - a ritual called "Overservation of the Burning" - from the information plaque on site
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