China attractions

The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor in the 16th century. The Jiajing Emperor also built three other prominent temples in Beijing, the Temple of Sun in the east (日坛), the Temple of Earth in the north (地坛), and the Temple of Moon in the west (月坛). The Temple of Heaven was renovated in the 18th century under the Qianlong Emperor.

Beihai(North Sea) Park located in central Beijing, is one of the oldest and most authentically perserved imperial gardens in China. It has a history of 1000 years. The scale of the park is appropriately regal and the huge lake is divided into three parts: Beihai(the North Lake), Zhonghai(the Central Lake) and Nanhai(the South Lake).Beihai has existed throughout the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Most of the buildings now standing were constructed during Emperor Qianlong's regin in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.).

Jingshan Park, a beautiful royal landscape garden, is situated in the center of Beijing City. An former imperial garden, lies to the east of Beihai Park. It occupies an area of 23 hectares. Many palatial towers and pavilions are arranged on a 47.5-meter-high hill.This Park is located directly to the north of the Forbidden City's Shenwu Gate. Visitors will discover that Beihai Park is located directly to the west of Jingshan Park. Further north again from Jingshan Park, the Bell and Drum Towers are located at the top of Di An Men Da Jie.