Temple of Heaven (Beijing, China) : Site plan for Temple of Heaven [complex], signage on site

Creator:

Ming Chengzu, Emperor of China, 1360-1424
Ming Shizong, Emperor of China, 1507-1566

Published/Created:

Southeastern part of central Beijing; Tiantan Rd. and Qinnian St., North Gate, Beijing, Beijing Shi, municipality, China
1406-1420 ; renovated ca. 1750-1790 (restoration)

Physical Description:

2.73 km2 (area, grounds)

Date Depicted:

6/5/2009

Materials:

stone; marble; wood; paint; ceramic tile; gray brick

Notes:

The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. It has been regarded as a Taoist temple, although Chinese Heaven worship, especially by the reigning monarch, pre-dates Taoism. The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor (Zhu Di or Ming Chengzu), who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor (reigned 1521-1567). The complex contains three main temple structures: Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests; the Imperial Vault of Heaven; and the Circular Mound Altar. There is also a small palace complex, the Palace of Fasting (Abstinence). A UNESCO World Heritage site.

Variant Titles:

Altar of Heaven

Topics:

Architecture -- China -- 15th century -- (YVRC)

Period/Style:

Ming dynasty, 1368-1644
Qing dynasty, 1644-1912

Culture:

Chinese

Accession Number:

1A2-CH-B-AH-F08

Genre:

altars (AAT)
architecture (AAT)
religious buildings: temples (AAT)

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Furnishings & Decorative Arts
Sculptures, Models, & Architecture

Rights:

Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Yale Community Only

Digital:

architectural elements; religious building fixtures; altars (religious building fixtures); buildings; religious buildings; temples

Source Creator:

Gilchrist, Scott

Source Title:

Archivision Addition Module Eight

Source Created:

2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
6/5/2009 12:00:00 AM

Source Note:

Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2013; photographer Scott Gilchrist

Yale Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Digital Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Local Record Number:

4654

OID:

10900198

PID:

digcoll:1856306