Temple of Earth

From Wiki China org cn
Temple of Earth, Beijing

Temple of Earth was also known as "Fangze Altar". It is the second largest of five ancient altars in Beijing. Built in 1530, it was the place where emperors in Ming and Qing times offered sacrifices to the "God of Land". Covering a total area of 37.4 hectares, the altar is square in shape, a manifestation of the traditional belief that "the Heaven is round and the earth is square."

The Park of the Temple of Earth was made a "cultural relic" under state protection.