: This is a single-gabled circular building, almost like a scaled-down version of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, which is located to the north of it. The Imperial Vault of Heaven is surrounded by a smooth circular wall called the Echo Wall with acoustics that allows sounds to transmit from it over large distances. Connecting the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest is aq 360-meter long raised walkway called the Vermillion Steps.
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Temple_of_Heaven_ovedc_04.JPG
Author: Ovedc

The
Circular Mound Altar is the alter proper. Located south of the Imperial Vault of Heaven, it comprises an empty circular platform on three levels of marble. It was originally built by the Jiajing Emperor in 1530, and rebuilt in 1740. The Circular Mount Altar is where Chinese emperors prayed for good weather.
The architecture of the Temple of Heaven is ripe with symbolism. Earth, represented by square, and Heaven, represented by cirlce, features repeatedly in the design. The bridging of squares and circles reflect the relationship between Earth and Heaven.
The Temple of Heaven is surrounded by a wall which on the north side is semi-circular, representing Heaven, while on the south side, slightly shorter, is a rectangular wall, representing Earth.
The number 9 is representative of the Emperor, and features repeatedly in the design of the Circular Mound Altar.
The
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest has four inner pillars, twelve middle pillars and twelve outer pillars. These represent the four seasons, the twelve months and the twelve traditional Chinese hours. The structures are all roofed with blue titles, a symbol of Heaven.
The Temple of Heaven is one of the most important temples for the Emperors of China. Regarded as the Son of Heaven, the Chinese emperors offer prayers at this temple to show that he derives his authority directly from Heaven.
One of the halls at the Temple of HeavenSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Temple_in_Beijing.jpg
Author: Kzrulzuall
The Hall of Abstinence, Temple of HeavenSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hall_of_Abstinence_east_gate_2.JPG
Author: BrokenSphere

Twice a year, the Emperor leaves the Forbidden City and undertake an elaborate ceremonial procession to the Temple of Heaven. Commoners are forbidden from viewing the imperial procession. During this time, he is garbed in special ceremonial robes, and abstains for partaking meat.
At the Temple of Heaven the Emperor conduct rituals seeking a good harvest from Heaven. The most important part of the ceremony takes place at the winter solstice, when the Emperor perform special rituals at the Circular Mound Altar. The ceremony had to be perfectly executed lest calamity befall the entire nation.
The Temple of Heaven was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1998. Today has become a popular park for the people of Beijing to exercise.
Temple of HeavenSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_Ring_Longevity_Pavilion_4611.jpg
Author: Vmenkov
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