The Golden Terrace in the Glow of the Setting Sun (Jintaixizhao) is situated at the former Miao Family Estate near the Altar of the Sun (Ritan). In the Qing Dynasty, this area originally served as frill grounds for the Manchurian and Mongolian troops of the Emblazoned White Banner. It is said That there was once a tall platform called the “golden Terrace” within the grounds, and that on spring and autumn evenings, the sunlight would continue to fall on this terrace for a few moments after the sun had set. This was, of course, a natural phenomenon, but when Emperor Qianlong came here on an inspection tour, he was disturbed by the strange spectacle.

Enquiring after the name of the place, the emperor became worried that a site so well endowed by nature would bring its owners inordinate good fortune and feared that this would threaten the supremacy of the Qing court. He therefore ordered the name “Miao Family Estate” (Miaojiadi) changed to “The Golden Terrace in the Glow of the Setting Sun,” and erected a stone tablet to record this. In this manner the last of the “Eight Great Sights” acquired its present name. The original inscription on the stone tablet in the drill ground conveyed the emperor’s wish that he Manchus and Mongols should unite in assuring the prosperity of China.