Beijing is full of many ancient sites with rich histories. We're slowing making our way through them :) Zak had learned about the "Temple of Heaven" in school so we decided to make this our next weekend sightseeing adventure!
The Temple of Heaven is actually an extensive ancient garden (273 hectares). There are many different palaces and buildings inside the walls of the park. They were used anciently by the emporers to offer sacrifice and pray for good harvests and such. It was very busy inside but surprisingly you could get a sense of the sacred nature of the garden.
Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
I just noticed while posting these pictures that in many of them my kids are sporting the "longhorn" pose. Yay Texas :)
Inside
Echo Wall
You're supposed to be able to stand at opposing ends of this wall and hear each other whisper. This would probably work better before the 500 other friends get there to try the same thing.
No trip would be complete without enjoying the ceremonial ice cream...
Once we walked outside the walls of the Temple of Heaven park you immediately heard the hum of traffic and the bustle of a big city. I was amazed at how we were sheltered from that inside the gates.
What next? :)
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