来源@视觉中国

Ritan Park, situated near the Jianguomenwai embassy area and north of the Friendship Store in the heart of Beijing's growing CBD dates from 1530 and was built as a temple to the sun god and was a place of worship for the Chinese imperial court of the Qing (1644-1911) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties.

来源@视觉中国

来源@视觉中国

Chinese emperors would make ritual offerings at the central altar to the sun god.

来源@视觉中国

来源@视觉中国

Now the large square-shaped park provides some welcome shade and a modicum of peace in what is becoming a very busy and frenetic part of modern Beijing.

Source: beijing-visitor.com