Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is part of a huge park (over 700 acres) where the common people hang out, all seasons of the year.  They were doing a variety of things...dancing, yoga, exercises, games, meditation...everyone looked like they were really enjoying the day.  Many of the people don't even know one another...  We spent more time watching the people than we did actually visiting the Temple.  It was facinating!

 

A huge exercise area with all kinds of stretching equipment...amazing what their bodies could do in public!

 

 

The average person retires at 50-55 so that younger people can have the jobs.  So, many of the people in the park were older.

 

 

 

 

This guy wanted to show me how to play his handmade instrument, but he also wanted $$$$.
Later as we left the part there was one large group sitting around singing in harmony what sounded like folk songs...with harmonicas leading the way.  It was beautiful.

 

This is the actual Temple of Heaven which dates back to 1420, during the reign of Emperor Yongle. The Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would come here twice a year ~ in the spring and the fall ~  in order to offer burnt offerings (they were quick to tell us they were animal sacrifices) to the god of heaven and to pray for good health, rain, a good harvest and prosperity.

The caption reads that this is "Chairman Mao and some democrats..."

These were used for the burnt offerings. 

The Temple is construcated in such a way that 24 pillars are holding it up.  It was a wonder in its day.
The architectural layout, structure and decoration have not ony occupied an important position in China, but are also part of a valuable world cultural heritage.

 

 

From the pictures I saw in books, we probably only saw about one third of the park.  You could easily spend the good part of the day.

 

The colors were magnificient!

After we left the park, we spent an hour at a fresh water pearl museum/shop.  Was saw a huge live oyster opened with about 20 pearls inside...some white, pink, and purple all in the same shell.  Then, lots of shopping and purchasing went on.