Beijing - Temple of Heaven （天坛公园）& NanLuoGuXiang（南锣鼓巷）

The sun was out in morning and we were heading to the Temple of Heaven （天坛公园） today. The park can be reached via Beijing subway Line 5. We got down at TianTanDongMen （天坛东门） and from there on, there are multiple signboards leading you to the East gate of Temple of Heaven. As we prefer to walk on our own path, we entered the East gate, covering Hall of Prayer （祈年殿）, before going south to the Imperial Vault of Heaven （皇穹宇）, Echo Wall （回音壁）and Circular Mound Altar （园丘）.

*Note that there were two recommended touring routes available in travelchinaguide, both of them started at South and North Gate respectively and ended at the West side of park.

We started the day with very good weather! Not a hazy day but a day with lovely blue sky!

The entrance ticket :)

Don't forget to get an automatic travel guide!

The Temple of Heaven is specifically used by emperors of the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty for Heaven Worship Ceremony. The Hall of Prayer situated at North of park is also known as Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests. The big palace with a prominent round roof, is sitting on a grand square of stone structures, three levels of marble stone base.

The Seven-Star Stones which are placed at south-east of the Great Hall of Sacrifice. They symbolised the seven peaks of Mountain Tai.

One funny thing we found... Haha, locals are actually gathering at the garden, bringing their sons' or daughters' personal profile and displayed at the garden! In order to help their children to find another half! 相亲!!!

We spotted three Chinese couples taking their wedding photo-shoot around the Hall of Prayer.

The Imperial Vault of Heaven is a smaller version of the Hall of Prayer, which is built on a single level of marble stone base. It is surrounded by the Echo Wall which can transmit sound over large distance. Both buildings are connected via a 360-metre long DanBi Bridge（丹壁桥）, which is also known as Sacred Path. It is believed that emperors could go to Heaven by this bridge.

The 360-metre long DanBi Bridge（丹壁桥）.

When we reached the Imperial Vault of Heaven and Echo Wall, the crowd was massive and we quickly made way to the Circular Mound Altar. The Circular Mound Altar is another must visit in the park. In past, the emperors would offer sacrifice here on the day of Winter Solstice. The number 9 is known as the largest Yang number during ancient and the altar area has strategically placed the number  9 and its nonuples. The center of the altar is The Heart of Heaven where the Emperor prayed for good weather.

We passed by 百花园 when making our way to exit Temple of Heaven, this is a garden with blossom and trees. It was a peaceful and enjoyable walk, recommended to drop by there if time is allowed.

Love the green!

Waving goodbye to Temple of Heaven.

After that, we made our way for lunch at Dawanju （大碗居）.

In the evening, we went to NanLuoGuXiang（南锣鼓巷）. It is a walking street with a total length of 786-metre and linked between GuLouDongDaJie （鼓楼东大街） and DiAnMenDongDaJie （地安门东大街）. 

Nowadays the street is full with unique cozy cafés and shops, especially shops that owned by local designers. Thus, here is a good place to shop for unique souvenirs.

Traditional paper cutting art!

Body care product in ancient China packaging! Love this!

Fridge magnet!

 Traditional malt sugar art! They can "blow" the sugar into different shape!

We had one, which supposed to be a horse, but it just looked more like a mouse right :P CNY 50 for this!

One of the must-eat food at NanLuoGuXiang（南锣鼓巷）! Wen Yu Cheese or 文宇奶酪.

Available in original flavour, or topping with mango or red bean :)

End our fruitful day with yogurt! Awesome!

Temple of Heaven（天坛公园）

How to reach there:

Via Beijing subway Line 5, get down at TianTanDongMen Station（天坛东门）.

Entrance fee:

Peak season (1st April to 31st October)

Entrance ticket: CNY 15

Combined ticket: CNY 34

* Combined ticket including admission to Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, Echo Wall and Circular Mound Altar.

Senior citizen and student: Half price

Operating hours:

Opening time: 6:00 to 21:00

Entrance ticket booking time: 6:00 to 20:00

Combined ticket booking time: 8:00 to 16:00

NanLuoGuXiang（南锣鼓巷）

How to reach there:

Via Beijing subway Line 6, get down at South LuoGuXiang Station（南锣鼓巷）

Entrance fee:

FREE