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Temple of Earth
The Temple of Earth, also named Ditan Park, near the North Second Ring Road in the northern part of Beijing city, is where emperors prayed to the earth for favorable weather and national prosperity. Built in 1530, it has square altars and walls in line with the ancient chinese concept of a square earth.
Ditan is the complements the Temple of Heaven in the south of Beijing. The altar here is square, which represents Earth, while at the Temple of Heaven the altar is round to represent Heaven. The emperor would offer sacrifices to Heaven at the winter solstice and Earth at the summer solstice.
While popular with locals for morning exercises, one will rarely see foreign tourists in Ditan Park. However, there is a popular Temple Fair held here during the Spring Festival.
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