Hall of Payer of Good Harvests
Taking a walk in a park is a common passtime and is often taken for granted by many, but taking a walk in the Temple of Heaven Park is somewhat different, although there are so many similarities. Why is it different? In my humble view, this is a park specially designed for walking or jogging.
The Temple of Heaven Park was built in the reign of Emperor Zhu Di, the third ruler of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Why was it constructed at that specific time? Obviously, it was not for one person to walk or jog, but served as a holy place to worship Heaven and gods of China, aimed to bring mild weather conditions and good harvests to the nation. It worked or not. I have no idea. But one thing is sure: now it has turned into an ideal place for a person to walk.
I heard of the park numerous times before I came to Beijing in 2012. I never entered the park to be awed by its magnificence and grandeur until last weekend (Oct. 15). The most famous ancient building within its confines is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. I am still not sure of all the reasons why people take so much notice of it compared with their attention to other buildings in the park. My personal experience just allows me to compliment it like this: It is indeed magnificent and stunningly gorgeous!
Imperial Vault of Heaven
Circular Mound Altar
In addition to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, there are other two attractions in the park that enjoy so much attention and compliments: Imperial Vault of Heaven and Circular Mound Altar. The Imperial Vault of Heaven is a single-gabled circular building, built on a single level of marble stone base and surrounded by a smooth circular wall, the Echo Wall, that can transmit sounds over large distances. The Circular Mound Altar is a three-layered round stage and the railings of it are all made of white marble. If you look at it from meters away, you will find it is indeed cool. In my mind, it is a mixture of solemnity, beauty and art. In the center of the top round floor of it is a round slate named Heart of Heaven, where the emperor prayed for favorable weather. Now everyone visiting the park can stand on the slate, and its original meaning has been completely lost.
The path that runs through the three major buildings of the park.
However, for a person who loves doing morning exercise, this is a paradise, for it is said the green coverage of the park can reach up to 89%, and the planning of this coverage is beyond measure. Old and small trees stand together or separately but they look tidy and must have been neatly pruned. The inside of the park is not a maze but a well-tended city, where blue brick paved paths, broad or thin, all look quite straight. The cypress trees stand on either side of it really look like well-trained soldiers who guard the path with their loyalty. The most famous path of it should be the straight road that runs through the Hall of Prayer of Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven, and Circular Mound Altar. You can walk on it to feel the greatness of the sky or just sit down like little children to draw a beautiful picture.
For me, taking a walk inside such a park is more enjoyable than strolling in other parks, because you cannot only see large ancient buildings but also hectares of well-trimmed pine and cypress trees. Many of the trees are hundreds of years old and look awesome. Some even look grotesque but their ugliness just brings you back to the course of Chinese history.
