I'm in Heaven
The Temple of Heaven that is. This is a famous site in southern Beijing that houses several old temples and royal sites. It was primarily utilized during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when emperors would lead ceremonies meant to bring about a good annual harvest. The complex was built between 1406-1420, by the same emperor responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City.
The Temple of Heaven that is. This is a famous site in southern Beijing that houses several old temples and royal sites. It was primarily utilized during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when emperors would lead ceremonies meant to bring about a good annual harvest. The complex was built between 1406-1420, by the same emperor responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City.
Standing in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. The Hall is circular, as circles symbolize heaven. It is situated in a square yard, as squares symbolize the earth. The two work together.
The emperor of China was regarded as the son of heaven and represented heavenly authority. Twice a year, the emperor would travel from the Forbidden City and make sacrifices to heaven here, in effort to pray for a good harvest. The ceremony had to be perfect. One tiny mistake would interpreted as a bad omen.
The building is made entirely of wood, using no nails or fasteners. The original building burned down in 1889. This one was rebuilt several years later using the original construction methods.
The vermilion steps bridge. This is a slightly elevated 360-meter walkway via which the emperor would approach the Hall of Prayer from the Vault.
Gates to enter the Imperial Vault of Heaven. This is where they housed the gods' tablets, used in the Ceremony of Worshipping Heaven.
The Imperial Vault of Heaven is surrounded by an "Echo Wall". Supposedly if one person whispers by the wall, another person can hear them clearly elsewhere in the courtyard. In the picture below, Chris attempted to whisper something to me and I couldn't hear a thing. It was a pretty funny scene - a bunch of tourists talking to a wall.
Standing atop the Circular Mound Altar, a raised circular mound south of the Hall. The center of the altar was where the emperor prayed for favorable weather.
A bunch of tourists atop the Circular Mound Altar. In the middle, there is a single round plate, which is surrounded by a ring of nine plates. This is surrounded by a ring of 18 plates, and this continues in multiples of 9 for 9 rings. This was done on purpose, because the number "9" represents the emperor.
Main gate details
Ceiling of the long covered walkway outside the temple
There are many activities on the grounds of the Temple of Heaven, including yoga.
Tai chi - it's not for everyone
Feeling the Love
It turns out the Chinese people love me (and I them). Before we came to China, we expected that Chris might draw some attention because of his height. However, the Chinese were more interested in me. As I walked through the tourist attractions, people would stare at me with big smiles, point at me with enthusiasm, wave, and often times they would ask me to pose for pictures with them. Sometimes, shy people would stand next to me and pretend to take a picture of something in front of us, when I could see that they flipped their camera view and took a selfie with me in the background (likely looking really confused or angry as I sometimes suffer from Resting Bitchy Face). We were trying to figure out why I was getting so much attention, but came up empty. Nonetheless, who am I to shun the limelight?
We caught a few of these friendly tourists on camera and these two were my favorites:
It turns out the Chinese people love me (and I them). Before we came to China, we expected that Chris might draw some attention because of his height. However, the Chinese were more interested in me. As I walked through the tourist attractions, people would stare at me with big smiles, point at me with enthusiasm, wave, and often times they would ask me to pose for pictures with them. Sometimes, shy people would stand next to me and pretend to take a picture of something in front of us, when I could see that they flipped their camera view and took a selfie with me in the background (likely looking really confused or angry as I sometimes suffer from Resting Bitchy Face). We were trying to figure out why I was getting so much attention, but came up empty. Nonetheless, who am I to shun the limelight?
We caught a few of these friendly tourists on camera and these two were my favorites:
This girl's friend was attempting to covertly photograph her sitting next to me. I don't think the picture was coming out as they'd hoped, so they asked me to join in. Chris wanted to borrow her cat ears, but was too embarrassed to ask.
How cute is this little guy?! His mom was taking the picture.
He was not shy and surprised me with a kiss!
The Forbidden City
Next, we made our way up to the famous Forbidden City, which was packed with tourists. We procured an audio guide here, as we'd read good things about it. We had also read that the audio guide was narrated by Roger Moore, but unfortunately, they've replaced him with an anonymous Chinese female. We found this disappointing. Nevertheless, onward.
Next, we made our way up to the famous Forbidden City, which was packed with tourists. We procured an audio guide here, as we'd read good things about it. We had also read that the audio guide was narrated by Roger Moore, but unfortunately, they've replaced him with an anonymous Chinese female. We found this disappointing. Nevertheless, onward.
Inside the main gate
These two might remember when the city was actually forbidden.
Inside the first of many courtyards
Looking back after coming into the second courtyard - this place is huge!
Smiling elephant
Each building's roof had creatures on the corners. You can gauge how important a building is by the number of creatures. These statuettes are not merely decorative - they also hold the roof in place.
Various roofs and creatures
This could be a scene from a few hundred years ago...almost
The audio guides were gps-activated, however they were not fool-proof. Sometimes they'd come on at the wrong time or cut off halfway through a story. We missed the old days where you simply typed in a number.
An exhibit dedicated to Puyi, the last emperor of China, who abdicated at just six years old, and left the forbidden city in 1924. The Oscar winning movie "The Last Emperor" was based on his life -- I highly recommend it!
Puyi's English lesson book. Puyi was very fond of Western culture.
Each temple had a name signifying its purpose. They all look similar, so we tried to creatively remember which was which in our photos. This is the Temple of Mental Cultivation.
Tiananmen Square
Outside the Forbidden City complex is Tianamen Square. Since we were in the area we stopped by for a look.
Me, Mao, and the Tianamen Gate. The characters on the gate say: "Long Live the People's Republic of China" and "Long live the Great Unity of the World's Peoples". This gate connects the Forbidden City - the ancient center of China - to Tiananmen Square - the modern, center of China. I'll admit, it doesn't quite feel right for me to be smiling here given its history (kind of like smiling in front of the Berlin Wall).
A massive flower pot in the middle of Tiananmen Square. Behind the flowers are the Monument to the Peoples' Heroes and Mao's Mausoleum (or as I like to call it, the Mao-soleum).
We headed back to see the square lit up at night, but it was closed to visitors after dark.
That concludes another wonderful day in Beijing! Stay tuned for more adventures tomorrow...
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