Circular Mound Altar
Located at the southernmost point of Temple of Heaven's central axis, the Circular Mound Altar stands as a significant site where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) conducted their rituals to pay homage to Heaven and is now open to all tourists for visits.
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| Circular Mound Altar |
Historical Origins: From Joint Worship to a Dedicate Altar
The Circular Mound Altar was built in 1530. Emperor Jiajing (1507-1567) changed the sacrificial system from joint worship of heaven and earth to separate worship, and built the Circular Mound specifically for heaven.
Initially constructed with blue glazed bricks, the altar featured only two memorial tablets. As the number of tablets increased over time, the altar underwent an expansion in 1749, transforming into its current form with the predominant use of white marble.
The main building of the Circular Mound Altar is a three-layered white circular stone platform, distinguished by its exquisitely designed shape, acoustic properties, and numerical arrangements.
Initially constructed with blue glazed bricks, the altar featured only two memorial tablets. As the number of tablets increased over time, the altar underwent an expansion in 1749, transforming into its current form with the predominant use of white marble.
The main building of the Circular Mound Altar is a three-layered white circular stone platform, distinguished by its exquisitely designed shape, acoustic properties, and numerical arrangements.
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Round Terraces Reflecting "The Heaven is Round" Principle
The Circular Mound Altar's shape is a direct reflection of ancients' cosmic philosophy. Its round shapes of the terraces and the central stone convey philosophical meanings of life's cyclical nature and the universe’s endless motion. The construction of the mound strictly follows the ancient principle of "heaven is round, earth is square", reflected in its double walls featuring circular inside and square outside.
Heart of Heaven Stone, An Acoustic Wonder
At the heart of the upper tier lies the "Heart of Heaven Stone", a slightly raised stone believed to be the center of the heavens, endowed with the mystical power to create life. When you stand on it and call out, your voice echoes back from all directions, seemingly arising from the ground itself. Scientific analysis reveals this acoustic phenomenon is caused by the rapid reflection of sound waves off the surrounding stone balustrades and the terrace surface.
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Multiples of Nine, The Supreme Yang Number
The altar's design also showcases an intriguing numerical pattern, with the number of stones around the Heart of Heaven Stone arranged in multiples of nine, embodying the ancient belief in the auspiciousness of odd numbers and the supreme yang (positive) quality of the number nine. This meticulous arrangement extends throughout the altar, including the steps and railings.
Ceremonial Gateways: The 24 Lattice Star Gates
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| Lattice Star Gate |
The Lattice Star Gates serve as the ceremonial entrances to the altar. A total of 24 gates are positioned on the inner and outer walls, facing the four cardinal directions. Originally named Field Star Gate after the star believed to preside over a bountiful harvest, the name was later changed to Lattice Star because it resembles window frames.
Near the southwest corner of the altar rises the towering Lamp-Viewing Pole, which held large lanterns to illuminate the vast area during the Winter Solstice ritual, conducted before dawn when darkness prevails.
In the southeast corner, a round structure clad in green glazed tiles known as the burning stove offers a place to burn offerings for the Supreme Deity of Heaven. Pine and cypress wood would be ignited here and a prepared calf would be burned, sending fragrant smoke skyward in hopes of communicating with the deity.
To the northeast of the burning stove are eight hollowed-out stoves for burning offerings to eight ancestors of emperors. Outside both eastern and western gates are four stoves dedicated to burning offerings to natural deities such as sun, moon, wind, and rain. On the eastern side of the burning stove lies a circular green glazed pit for burying animal sacrifices' blood and ashes.
A ticket is required to enter the Circular Mound Altar. It is highly recommended to purchase the all-inclusive Temple of Heaven combo ticket, which costs CNY 34 during the peak season (April-October) and CNY 28 in the off-season (November-March), as it is less cost-effective to buy a general admission ticket (CNY 15/10) plus a separate attraction ticket (CNY 20). Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate without a reservation.
The Circular Mound Altar is open from 8:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:30) from April to October, and from 8:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30) from November to March.
The closest entrance to the Circular Mound Altar is the South Gate. Take Subway Line 14 to Jingtai Station (Exit B) and walk for about 15 minutes. Alternatively, take bus number 36, 53, or 62 to the Temple of Heaven South Gate stop, which is a 5-minute walk away. After entering through the South Gate, the altar is a straight 2-minute walk ahead.
Ritual Installations: Lamp Pole, Burning Stoves, and Sacrificial Pits
Near the southwest corner of the altar rises the towering Lamp-Viewing Pole, which held large lanterns to illuminate the vast area during the Winter Solstice ritual, conducted before dawn when darkness prevails.
In the southeast corner, a round structure clad in green glazed tiles known as the burning stove offers a place to burn offerings for the Supreme Deity of Heaven. Pine and cypress wood would be ignited here and a prepared calf would be burned, sending fragrant smoke skyward in hopes of communicating with the deity.
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| Firewood Stove |
To the northeast of the burning stove are eight hollowed-out stoves for burning offerings to eight ancestors of emperors. Outside both eastern and western gates are four stoves dedicated to burning offerings to natural deities such as sun, moon, wind, and rain. On the eastern side of the burning stove lies a circular green glazed pit for burying animal sacrifices' blood and ashes.
Tickets
A ticket is required to enter the Circular Mound Altar. It is highly recommended to purchase the all-inclusive Temple of Heaven combo ticket, which costs CNY 34 during the peak season (April-October) and CNY 28 in the off-season (November-March), as it is less cost-effective to buy a general admission ticket (CNY 15/10) plus a separate attraction ticket (CNY 20). Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate without a reservation.
Opening Hours
The Circular Mound Altar is open from 8:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:30) from April to October, and from 8:00 to 17:00 (last entry at 16:30) from November to March.
Getting There
The closest entrance to the Circular Mound Altar is the South Gate. Take Subway Line 14 to Jingtai Station (Exit B) and walk for about 15 minutes. Alternatively, take bus number 36, 53, or 62 to the Temple of Heaven South Gate stop, which is a 5-minute walk away. After entering through the South Gate, the altar is a straight 2-minute walk ahead.
Next: Imperial Vault of Heaven
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- Last updated on Mar. 06, 2026 by Jally Zhang -