(InsidetheSouthGateoftheTempleofHeaven)LadiesandGentlemen:WelcometotheTempleofHeaven
(Afterself-introduction)preservedculturalheritagesofChina
Therearebasicallytwokindsofvisitorswhocomehere:localpensionerswhodoexerciseshereinthemorningandeveningandsightseersbothfromhomeandabroad
Allinall,thereare12millionvisitorsveryyear
Nowwearegoingtogoalongtheroutethatleadstothealtar
Itwilltakeroughlyonehour
Mindyou,theemperoralsowalkedalongthisroutetopaytributetotheGodofHeaven
(AlongtheSouthernSacredRoadleadingtotheCircularMoundAltar)ThelargestgroupofarchitecturesevertobededicatedtoHeaven,theTempleofHeavenservedasanexclusivealtarforChinesemonarchsduringtheMingandQingdynasties
ItwasdecreedthatrulersofsuccessivedynastieswouldplacealtarsintheirowncapitalstoworshipHeavenandprayforgoodharvest
Butwhy
Theanci