🛕 Beijing · Attraction
Temple of Heaven天坛
Where emperors prayed for good harvests since 1420
Where emperors prayed for good harvests since 1420
The Temple of Heaven is a masterpiece of Ming-dynasty architecture and one of China's most recognizable symbols. Built in 1420, the iconic circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was constructed entirely without nails using interlocking wooden brackets. The surrounding park is where Beijing's elderly residents gather each morning for tai chi, kite flying, and erhu performances.
Featured by Mark Wiens and every major China travel vlogger for its morning tai chi atmosphere
Address: 1 Tiantan East Rd, Dongcheng District, Beijing
The easiest way to reach Temple of Heaven is by Didi (China's ride-hailing app, similar to Uber). Download the Didi app and link your international credit card before arriving in China. Show the driver the Chinese name: 天坛.
Metro is also available for most attractions — check the city metro map and look for the nearest station. All metro signs in Beijing are bilingual (Chinese and English).
Citizens of 54+ countries including the USA, UK, EU nations, Canada, and Australia can visit China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. Temple of Heaven is fully accessible during a visa-free transit stay.
Read the Full Visa-Free Guide →600 years of imperial China in 9,999 rooms
The most scenic section — with a toboggan slide descent
The soul of old Beijing — ancient lanes unchanged for centuries