It was built in 1420 during Ming Emperor Yongle's reign. In the outer surrounding wall of the Temple of Heaven there is a gate on the west only for the emperor and officials to use. In 1753 during Qing Emperor Qianlong's reign, at a distance of about half a kilometer out of the gate, another entrance gate was opened and called "the Gate to the Altar of Circular Mound" exclusively for the ceremony of worshipping Heaven at the Altar of Circular Mound. The brick arched gate constructed in the early Ming Dynasty was named "Gate to the Altar of Prayer for Grains” for the exclusive use of the emperor for the ceremony of "praying for grains" in spring.