The Temple of Heaven has a rich sordid history that has made it what it is today. A charismatic piece of history near the heart of China's Capital.
The Temple of Heaven is a large complex of buildings, gardens, walls and sidewalks covering almost 3sq. kilometers of ground. There is an outer area consisting of many trees and pavers which serve as a gathering point for people who live in the community and street performers. Beyond this common area begins a walk up to the Temple of Prayer for Good Harvests. It is a three gabled structure in which the emperor would pray. It is an impressive structure which is made with only wood and zero nails.
Next there is a long walk down a very wide stone path specially built with a special walk way that allowed the emperor to walk down the middle with his generals on one side and the royal family on the other. At the end of this path which is maybe half a a quarter of a mile long lies the second important prayer location known as the imperial vault of heaven. This area is best known for the circular wall which surrounds it. the interior surface was so smooth that they created a special echo effect which allowed for conversations to be hear across a courtyard. When you visits there today you can stand at a special point in the center and hear either 1, 2 or 3 echoes of clap when standing on one of three special stones.
The third and final major structure in the kingdom of heaven is the Circular Mound Altar. It is a platform raised high above the ground. The emperor would use it to say a final prayer before leaving. The stone in the center was for the emperor only. The Altar would reverberate and redirect the sound upward to strengthen the prayer the to the heavens.
The Temple of Heaven was constructed in the early 1400's and was used by may emperors.
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