Fasting Palace (Zhaigong)

The Fasting Palace at the Temple of Heaven once served as the emperor's retreat for purification before sacrificial rituals. Today, it is open to visitors with original displays and fasting-themed exhibitions.

Located away from the central axis of the Temple of Heaven, the Fasting Palace is an ancient architectural complex surrounded by two moats for defense. The palace roofs are covered with green glazed tiles instead of the imperial yellow, symbolizing the emperor's humility before deities.

With 228 rooms, this complex resembles a miniature imperial city, housing all necessary facilities for the emperor’s ritual fast. The main structures include the Beamless Hall in the front courtyard and the Residence Hall in the back courtyard.
 
The Beamless Hall, where the emperor met his ministers during fasting, is unique in that it uses no wooden beams or columns, with even the eaves’ brackets made of imitation bricks, which earns it the name "Beamless Hall".

North of the hall lies the Fasting Bronze Statue Pavilion. During the emperor's fasting, the statue held a tablet stating fasting rules, reminding the emperor to remain calm and reverent. Opposite the Statue Pavilion is the Time Pavilion. It served as the place to present petitions for the emperor's attendance at the altar.
 
Located behind the Beamless Hall, the Residence Hall is where the emperor rested during his fast. Designed for winter stays, it features large, bright glass windows allowing sunlight to fill the room. Two large water vats in front of the hall were used for fire prevention when the heated bed was lit in winter.
 
In the northeast corner of the Fasting Palace stands the two-story Bell Tower with red walls and green tiles. It houses the "Harmony Bell", which would be struck when the emperor left for and returned from the ceremony. 

The long corridors on both sides of the palace gate, known as River Corridors, encircle the palace walls, providing shelter for the soldiers guarding the emperor. These corridors are adorned with over 1,300 colorful paintings depicting figures, landscapes, flowers, and birds.
 
Constructed in 1420, the Fasting Palace was built specifically for emperors to fast before sacrifices, showing respect to heavenly deities. During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), it was mandatory for emperors to fast alone in the palace for three days before each sacrifice, abstaining from meat, alcohol, entertainment, judicial affairs, mourning, and female company. 

Emperor Yongzheng (1678-1735), due to security concerns, built an additional "Inner Fasting Palace" in the Forbidden City, reducing his stay in the Fasting Palace at the Temple of Heaven to just four hours. This led to the palace's decline until Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) restored it in 1742, reinstating its primary role in the sacrificial fasting rituals.
 
Visitors can now freely enter the Fasting Palace complex, with the Beamless Hall open for displays. The central room of the hall recreates the emperor's working scene with his throne and an intricately carved sandalwood screen. The other four rooms host an exhibition on fasting culture, showcasing artifacts such as incense burners and ancient paintings.
  
The Fasting Palace 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. It is closed on Mondays, except for holidays.
 
Admission to the Fasting Palace is free but requires a ticket to the Temple of Heaven park, priced at CNY15 from April to October and CNY10 from November to March. Children under 18 and seniors over 60 can enter free with a passport. You can buy tickets via the official WeChat account, at ticket windows, or by scanning QR codes on site without prior reservation.
 
The Fasting Palace is located in the western central part of the Temple of Heaven, closest to the West Gate. It can be reached by taking the Subway Line 8 to Tianqiao Station, Exit C. After entering the West Gate, walk straight for about 10 minutes, then turn right, and you will see the Fasting Palace.
 
From late March to early April, the magnolia trees in front of the Fasting Palace bloom, creating an enchanting scene where the pure white petals beautifully contrast with the red palace walls. If you visit during this period, capture this delightful moment with your camera.