Ritan Park

　　  Destination Introduction
　　  Ritan, also known as the Altar of the Sun, is situated southeast of Chaoyangmenwai in the Chaoyang District. It is surrounded by a red wall, faces west, and was constructed in the ninth year of the Jiajing era. The altar consists of a single platform, where the Great Ming Deity (i.e., the sun) was worshipped on the day of the Spring Equinox. According to the *Tianfu Guangji* (“Broad Records of the Celestial Treasury”): “The worship ceremony used the grand sacrificial offering of an ox, sheep, and pig, jade ritual vessels, three libations, seven musical pieces, and eight rows of dancers. In years ending with 甲 (Jia), 丙 (Bing), 戊 (Wu), and 壬 (Ren), the emperor personally conducted the sacrifice.”

　　　　     It served as the site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the Great Ming Deity (the sun). Built in the ninth year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1530), the altar is square-shaped. 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 Qinghui Pavilion, while the southern side hosts a flower and fruit orchard. The northwest corner houses the tomb of martyr Ma Jun. Because the park is located within the embassy district, it has become a popular destination among diplomats from various countries.

　　　　     The altar faces west and is made of white stone, consisting of a single square platform. In the Ming Dynasty, the altar surface was covered with red glazed tiles to symbolize the sun, but during the Qing Dynasty, it was paved with square bricks. It is surrounded by a low enclosing wall (short perimeter wall), with three white stone Lingxing Gates on the west side. Outside the western gate are a burning 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 the People’s Republic of China, most of the ancient structures were destroyed, cultural relics were stolen, and Ritan fell into ruins.

　　　　     In 1951, the Beijing Municipal People’s Government expanded Ritan into Ritan Park, covering an area of more than 20 hectares. Facilities such as southern and northern main gates, exhibition display windows, Peony Garden, Qinghui Pavilion, Winding Pond and Shengchun Garden, the “Sun Worship” fresco, the elegant “Hehe Elegant Residence,” the picturesque classical-style southwest scenic area, and an art gallery were constructed. The destroyed sacrificial altar was restored to its original state. The memorial chamber of martyr Ma Jun was renovated, and a large amusement center was added.

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

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

　　　　     Location: Southeast of Chaoyangmenwai, Chaoyang District

　　　　     Within Ritan, there are structures such as the Divine Warehouse, Animal Slaughtering Pavilion, Divine Kitchen for preparing offerings, and the Dressing Chamber where the emperor changed clothes and rested before worship. Recently, the “Qinghui Guanri” (Viewing the Sun in Clear Radiance) scenic area in the southeast and the “Winding Pond and Shengchun” (Winding Pond and Lush Spring) scenic area in the south have been newly built. To the north of the winding pond lies the “Kites Flying and Fish Leaping” waterside area, featuring a swan sculpture spreading its wings in the pond and a little toad looking up at the sky beneath, creating a lively scene. On the eastern side of the altar stands an ancient cypress tree, and on the western side, there is a grove of Japanese cherry blossoms. Fountains, rockeries, and vine-covered trellises can be found throughout the park.  Transportation Information
　　    Take Bus Nos. 1, 4, 9, 48, 57, 120, 403, 938, 938 Branch, 808, or the Tuanjiehu Special Line and get off at Ritan Road; take Bus No. 29 and get off at Ritan Park.

　　     Beijing Chaoyang District