Temple of Heaven Park (morning)

Come with us on this exciting morning walk to Temple of Heaven Park and learn more about Beijing’s history while gaining insight into everyday life in the capital.

Temple of Heaven Park is located in south-east Beijing, within walking distance of the hotel where you meet the guide.

The park, which covers a whopping 2,700,000 m2, offers of three main attractions: The Imperial Vault of Heaven with its famous echo chamber, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and the Round Altar.

As the son of Heaven, the emperor was held responsible for the weather and the harvest, among other things, and it was therefore important for the emperor to be on good terms with the gods. So, he and his entourage made their way to Temple of Heaven Park from the Forbidden City three times a year: On the 8th day of the first (lunar) month to ask the gods for a good harvest, at the summer solstice to ask the gods for rain and the winter solstice to thank the gods for the harvest. It was important for the rituals to be performed correctly. If the harvest failed, the people took it as a sign that the emperor had fallen in disfavour with the gods. Should the harvest fail several years in a row, it could lead to the fall of the emperor and the beginning of a new dynasty.

In 1918, the site was transformed into a park and opened to the public for the first time. Today, the park is a beautiful, green oasis in the heart of the otherwise bustling Beijing. The park is used extensively by the people of Beijing, and you will see runners, poets and people practising Tai-chi, singing or dancing to music from an old ghettoblaster or a modern smartphone.

Temple of Heaven Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This excursion is open to TourCompass’ own guests only.

We recommend that you book the excursion from home, either when booking the tour or at least 3 weeks before departure. The excursion can also be booked by the guide at the destination, subject to availability.