The Temple of Earth

Introduction of Beijing Temple of Earth

The Temple of Earth is a solemn and elegant royal temple. It is the place where royal families offer sacrifices, it is also the largest temple where people make sacrifice to the God of Earth. The Temple of Earth is located north part of Beijing inner city, as opposed to the famous site - The Temple of Heaven which located the south part.

The Temple of Earth was built in 1530. Reportedly, there were 14 emperors offered sacrifices to the God of Earth for 381 years until the Qing Dynasty was overthrown. In 1925, the Temple of Earth was open to public as a park. The temple covers an area of 37.4 hectares and is shared like a square. The layout of the temple is totally in accordance with Chinese traditional beliefs such as the “Heaven is round and the earth is square” and etc. At present, there stands the Fangze Temple, Huangdi Hall, Animal Hall, Food Hall and God Hall in the Temple of Earth.

The main layout of the Temple of Earth is facing north. Main buildings are circled with square walls. It has inside temple and outside temple. The central axis is close to the southwest side. The front gate stands at the west side of outside temple, facing to the Andingmen Street.

There are 7 groups of buildings in the inside temple. Ancient people believe that royal people should make sacrifices to God in a solemn place. Therefore there are few buildings with no special decorations in the Temple of Earth. The main buildings of Fangze Temple and Royal Hall are situated at the south side of the central axis. The sacrifice stage is in front of the Fangze Temple. Behind the Fangze Temple, that is the place where sacrificing to God. The Food Hall is located at the southwest side.

Reportedly, there are 116 different kinds of plants in the Temple of Earth Park, which occupies an area of 114,000 square meters. The urban green coverage rate accounts for 72%. There are 168 ancient trees with over one hundred years and more than 80 trees with more than 300 years.

Since 1985, Spring Festival Temple Fair will be in the Temple of Earth. Usually, the temple fair will start from the last day of the previous year to the seventh day of the first lunar month. During the fair, there will be various cultural performances. Many folk cultures have been well preserved through the temple fair.

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