Temple of the Sun

Temple of the Sun

The Temple of the Sun is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Destination Introduction

The Temple of the Sun, also known as the Altar to the Sun, is located southeast of Chaoyangmenwai in Chaoyang District. Surrounded by a red wall and facing west, it was built in the ninth year of the Jiajing reign. The altar consists of a single platform where the deity of the Great Ming (i.e., the sun) was worshipped on the day of the Spring Equinox. According to the "Tianfu Guangji" (Broad Records of the Heavenly Storehouse): “The ceremony used the supreme sacrificial animals, jade ritual offerings with three libations, seven musical pieces, and eight rows of dancers. In years ending with 甲, 丙, 戊, or 壬, the emperor personally conducted the rites.”

It served as the site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the deity of the Great Ming (the sun). Built in the ninth year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1530), the altar is square in shape. In the southeastern corner of the park lies Shengchun Garden, covering an area of 10,000 square meters, featuring a winding pond with a pair of stone-carved swans, one of which spouts water upward. On the small hill in the southeast of the garden stands the Qinghui Pavilion, while a flower and fruit orchard lies to the south and the tomb of martyr Ma Jun is located in the northwest corner. As the park is situated in the embassy district, it has become a popular destination for diplomats.

The altar faces west and consists of a single-layer square platform made of white stone. During the Ming Dynasty, the altar surface was covered with red glazed tiles to symbolize the sun, but this was later replaced with square bricks during the Qing Dynasty. The altar is surrounded by low walls, and there are three white stone Língxīng gates directly to the west. Outside the western gate are an incineration furnace and a pool. To the north are the Divine Warehouse, Divine Kitchen, Animal Slaughtering Pavilion, and Bell Tower. To the south is the Dressing Chamber. The Dressing Chamber was rebuilt in the seventh year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1742) in the northwest corner of the altar. Before the founding of New China, most of the ancient structures were destroyed and relics were stolen, reducing the Temple of the Sun to ruins.

In 1951, the Beijing Municipal People's Government expanded the Temple of the Sun into Ritan Park, covering an area of more than 20 hectares. The southern and northern main gates and exhibition windows were constructed, along with the Peony Garden, Qinghui Pavilion, Winding Pond and Shengchun Garden, the “Sun Worship” mural, the quaint “Hehe Elegant Residence,” the picturesque classical southwestern scenic area with its clear mountains and waters, and an art gallery. The destroyed altar was also restored to its original state. The memorial chamber of martyr Ma Jun’s tomb was renovated, and a large amusement center was added.

With its shaded trees, neat pathways, classic elegance, and serene scenery, Ritan Park has become even more beautiful and picturesque.

Address: No. 6, Ritan North Road, Chaoyangmenwai, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Location: Southeast of Chaoyangmenwai, Chaoyang District

Within the Temple of the Sun are the Divine Warehouse, Animal Slaughtering Pavilion, Divine Kitchen for preparing offerings, and the Dressing Chamber where the emperor changed clothes and rested before ceremonies. New scenic areas have been added, including the “Qinghui View of the Sun” area in the southeast and the “Winding Pond and Shengchun” area to the south. To the north of the winding pond is the “Kites Soaring and Fish Leaping” area encircling the water, featuring a statue of a swan with wings spread and a little toad gazing at the sky beneath, creating a lively scene. To the east of the altar stands an ancient cypress tree, while to the west grows a grove of Japanese cherry blossoms. Fountains, rockeries, and vine trellises can be found throughout. Transportation Information

Buses 1, 4, 9, 48, 57, 120, 403, 938, 938 Branch, 808, and Tuanjiehu Special Line stop at Ritan Road; Bus 29 stops at Ritan Park.

Beijing, Chaoyang District

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Beijing

· Sixth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level