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Temple of Heaven |
Also found in: Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.01 sec. |
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Temple of Heaven: see Chinese architecture Chinese architecture, the buildings and other structures created in China from prehistoric times to the present day.
Early ArchitectureAs a result of wars and invasions, there are few existing buildings in China predating the Ming dynasty ..... Click the link for more information. . Temple of HeavenLarge religious complex in the old outer city of Beijing, considered the supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture. Its layout symbolizes the belief that heaven is round and earth square. The three buildings are built in a straight line. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (1420) has three concentric circles of massive wood columns symbolizing the four seasons, 12 months, and 12 daily hours; in a remarkable feat of engineering, they support the three roof levels and, in succession, a huge square brace (earth), circular architrave (heaven), and vast interior cupola. The Imperial Vault of Heaven (1530; rebuilt 1572) is a smaller circular building constructed without crossbeams; its dome is supported by complicated span work. The Circular Mound Altar (1530; rebuilt 1749) is a triple-tiered white stone terrace enclosed by two sets of walls that are square outside and round inside. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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From the south, across the interlinked cities, the main axis led to the central gateways in the massive wall, which opened upon the paved way, between the Temple of Agriculture on the west side and the Temple of Heaven on the east, the most sacred place in China, representing the transitional stage between heaven and earth. Other attractions in Beijing, including the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, are perfect for travelers looking to experience the history of Beijing, as well as its culture and traditions. ONCE UPON A TIME, BEIJING CONSISTED OF extraordinary monuments like the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven set in an intricate matrix of low-rise courtyard housing knitted together by a ravelled pattern of lanes (hutong) and carved into districts by the vast imperial grid. |
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