One of Beijing's most photogenic sites — and at 7am, one of its most alive. How to visit the Temple of Heaven park.
The Temple of Heaven is where emperors performed ceremonies for good harvests, and the park around it is now one of the best places in Beijing to watch ordinary city life. Come early and you will see tai chi, ballroom dancing, calligraphy on the pavement and card games under the pines.
The park opens early for locals exercising; the main buildings open later. Buying the through-ticket lets you into the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the iconic triple-roofed circular building. From it, the long raised walkway runs south to the Circular Mound Altar and the Echo Wall — where sound travels along the curved surface, which is worth trying.