Temple of Heaven.

We wanted to squeeze both the Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City on the same day. Its possible but quite rushed.

Map of Temple of Heaven compound. Its 25RMB for the entry fee to the park and to the monuments. Otherwise it would be just 5RMB for the park entry:

The park is so happening lah. The Chinese are really one bunch of active folks - especially the old ones!:

And they are soooo touchy-wouchy:

Playing 'chapteh':

Line dancing:

Some racket and ball dance:

The covered walkway is a hive of activities. From poker cards:

To 'karaoke':

To artistic expressions:

To 'jamming' sessions:

To full-on orchestra and choir:

Finally we reached the Temple of Heaven compound. This is the iconic 'Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest':

The temple used to be visited by emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayers for good harvest. It was built in 1406 - 1420.

The interior:

Had to jostle with locals for this shot (some had the didn't-wash-hair smell; YUCKS):

The dragons carved into the stone demarcates the Emperor's circulation:

Buildings flanking the hall:

The Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Wall:

Weird trees:
The Imperial Vault of Heaven is surrounded by a perfectly circular wall, the Echo Wall. You can stand on one end and a friend on the other, and you can still hear each other talking:

Interior:

Next up was the Circular Mound Altar:

The Heavenly Center Stone:

Standing in the middle:

That's it, we later went to Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.