Sunday, August 26, 2007

HOUSES OF THE HOLY: TEMPLE OF HEAVEN PARK

One of Beijing's most enduring the symbols, the Temple of Heaven is considered by many to be the most perfect example of Ming-style architecture.

It is surrounded by the Echo Wall, a circular enclosure where one's whispers can supposedly be heard all the way at the other end of the wall. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to work when a couple of hundred people are around.

Another interesting at the Park is the Round Alter. It has nine rings of stones, each containing a multiple of nine (9 stones in the 1st ring, 18 stones in the 2nd and all the way up to 81 stones in the 9th) to symbolize the Nine Heavens.

It is said that if one stands in the center stone, there voice becomes particularly deep and full. I'm not sure if this works when four people stand on the stone.

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is a beautiful structure. It was originally built in 1420 but was destroyed when it was struck by lightening in 1889. This exact replica was rebuilt one year later using the original Ming designs.

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