Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Situated in the south of the city, this stunning temple park was built between 1406 and 1420. It was here that the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties prayed, through an elaborate ritual, to the gods for good rains and good harvests. There are four main areas - the Round Altar, Echo Wall, the Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The distinctive outline of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is a symbol of Beijing, and a whisper at any point on the echo wall can be heard anywhere else along its length of 64 meters (210 feet). Throughout the temple complex intricate details symbolize earth and celestial bodies. In fact, every element of the temple is constructed with such precision that no tile or pillar is without a specific meaning.

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