北京天坛英文导游词

Welcome to the temple of Heaven. (After self-introduction) preservedcultural heritages of China. There are basically two kinds of visitors whocome here: local pensioners who do exercises here in the morning and eveningand sightseers both from home and abroad. All in all ,there are 12 millionvisitors very year. Now we are going to go along the route that leads to thealter. It will take roughly one hour. Mind you ,the emperor also walked alongthis route to pay tribute to the God of Heaven.

(Along the Southern Sacred Road leading to the Circular Mound Altar)

The largest group of architectures ever to be dedicated to Heaven ,theTemple of Heaven served as an exclusive altar for Chinese monarchs during theMing and Qing dynasties. It was decreed that rulers of successive dynastieswould place altars in their own capitals to worship Heaven and pray for goodharvest. But why ?

The ancient Chinese believed that Heaven was the supreme ruler of theuniverse and the fate of mankind ,and thus worshiping rites dedicated toHeaven came into being.

The Heaven the ancient Chinese referred to was actually the Universe, ornature. In those days, there were specfic rites of worship. This was

especially true during the Ming and Qing dynasties when elaborate ceremonieswere held.

The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 during the reign of Emperor Youngleof the Ming Dynasty. Situated in the southern part of the city ,this grand setof structures covers an area of 273 hectares. To better symbolize heaven andearth ,the northern part of the Temple is circular while the southern part issquare .The whole compound is enclosed by two walls, a square wall outside around one. The outer area is characterized by suburban scenery, while the

inner part is used for sacrifices. The inner enclosure consists of the Hall ofPrayer for Good Harvest and the Circular Mound Altar.

(Along the Imperial Passage leading from the Southern Lattice Star Gate infront of the Circular Mound Altar)

the Circular Mound Altar is enclosed by two walls ,each containing fourgroups of Southern Lattice Star Gate, each in turn consisting of three doors,with 24 marble doors altogether. Standing on the passage facing north, youwill notice that with each pair of doors on is narrower than the other. Thisreflects the feudal hierarchy: the wider door was reserved for monarchs, whilethe narrower one was used by courtiers.

On the day of the ceremony ,the emperor would don his ritual costume andbe ushered in by the official in charge of religious affairs. He ascended thethree terraces in the forefront to pay tribute at the alter.[NextPage]

(Atop the Circular Mound Alter)

we are now on the top terrace of the Altar, or the third terrace .Eachterrace has a flight of 9 steps. At the center of this terrace lies a roundstone surrounded by 9 steps. At the center of this terrace lies a round stonesurrounded by 9 concentric rings of stone. The number of stones in the firstring is 9, in the second ,18, up to 81 in the 9th ring. Even the number ofcarved balustrades on these terraces is a multiplee of 9. But why?

According to ancient Chinese philosophy, yin and yang were two opposingfactors. Heaven and the odd numbers belonged to yang while the Earth and evennumbers belonged to yin. Nine was the largest heavenly number accessible toman . What is more, the ancient people also believed that heaven consisted ofnine layers and that the emperor` s abode was on the uppermost tier.

Once more look at the round stone in the center. The upper terrace is ninezhang (a Chinese unit of length, one zhang equals 3.3 meters ) in

circumference ,while the middle is 15 zhang, the lower, 21 zhang. Classifiedas yang numbers, the sum of these numerals is 45 zhang which was meant tosymbolized success. What is more, by applying the concept of odd numbers andstrengthening nine and its multiples, the concept of heaven was thus

illustrated and realized . The concept of nine will also be mentioned when wevisit some other buildings.

Now I will give you a brief account of what happened here annually on theInter Solstice. The memorial tablet dedicated to Heaven would be set up on thenorth side of the terrace, while tablets dedicated to the emperor `s ancestorswould be enshrined on the flanks. The service would begin around 4 o` clock inthe morning. All of the lanterns would be lit .In the foreground, a

sacrificial calf is being barbecued. On the square in front of the altar, theemperor, under heavy escort of nearly a thousand courtiers, princes of royalblood ,musicians, dancers and uniformed soldiers, would slowly ascend the

altar to offer sacrifice and pray in honor of Heaven. When the service drew toa close ,the sacrifice offered in front of the memorial tablets would be

incinerated .All of participants would watch the thick smoke rise upward as ifthey were seeing God off .Music and dancing would follow .In the end ,theemperor would return to the Forbidden City secure in the belief that he wouldbe blessed and protected by Heaven until the next winter Solstice.

It is interesting to note that ,the stone in the very middle of the altar wasof major importance ,since it was where the emperor used to stand to say hisprayer. The stone ,which is known as the God`s heart Stone, is peculiar inthat it is characterized by a specific acoustic phenomenon: it made the

emperor` s voice clearer and louder, thus adding to the mystic atmosphere ofthe service .You can try this out by yourself. (Proceed northward to passthrough the Lattice StarGate)

(In front of the Gate of glazed tiles)

this structure is known as Heaven` s Storehouse. It is entered through theGate of glazed Tiles. The roofing ,beams, and brackets are all made of glazedtiles or bricks. This is the only structure of its kind in china today .

the Heaven` s Storehouse was where memorial tablets dedicated to the godswere kept. Douglas Hurd, a former British foreigh secretary ,once said , \"God

attends to His affairs on the Cir4cular Mound Altar but stays here. \" Now let`s go in to to see it (Go through the left side door)[NextPage]

(In the courtyard of Heaven` s Storehouse)

this is the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the main structure of Heaven` sStorehouse. It was built in 1530 and is 17 meters in height and 19 meters indiameter. The structure feature blue roofs topped by a gilded ball ,and carvedwooden doors and windows. It is decorated with colored paintings. Founded on a3-meter-hign round marble terrace ,the building also features a giganticcarved marble ramp laid in the stone staircase leading up to the front

entrance.. The ramp is carved in \"Two dragons Playing with a pearl \" design inrelief. We will enter the main hall by going up the stone staircase on theeastern side.

(On the marble terrace of the main hall)

the arch of the hall is buttressed by 16 giant pillars on two rings. Ontop of the pillars there are gilt brackets supporting a circular caisson ,orcovered ceiling .The ceiling is characterized by a golden coiling dragon

design. The 8 pillar of the inner ring are painted scarlet and decorated withgolden lotuses.

To the north of the hall there is a marble pedestal. Atop it ,up a woodenflight of 9 steps, is where the major tablet dedicate to Heaven was enshrined.On each flank four tablets are enshrined in honor of the ancestors of the Qingemperors. In the annex hall in hornor of the ancestors of the Qing emperors.In the annex halls in the courtyard, there are tablets dedicated to thedeities of the sun, moon ,constellation, cloud ,rain, wind and thunder.(Echo Wall and Triple -sound Stones)

Aside from exquisitely laid out architectures, Heaven` s Storehouse isalso famous for two structures with peculiar acoustic features, i. E. the EchoWall and the Triple- Sound Stone. A mere whisper at any point close to thewall can be heard clearly on the other side, although the parties may be 40 or50 meters apart. This is possible because the wall is round and hermeticallyconstructed with smooth ,solid bricks.

In front of the steps leading away from the halls is the Triple SoundStone. If you stand on the first stone and call out or clap your hands, thesound will echo once; on the second stone, the sound will be heard twice; andon the third stone, the sound will repeat three times. Hence the name. (Go outthrough the right door and stroll along the circular path northward)[NextPage]

(Nine-Dragon Cypress)

the Temple of Heaven is also famous for its cypress trees-there are morethan 60,000 cypress trees in all ,among which over 4,000 are more than onehundred years old ,adding to the solemn atmosphere of the temple .This tallcypress was planted more than 500 years ago. Its thick branches and twisting

trunk resembling nine coiling playful dragons; thus it is known as theNine-Dragon cypress. It is said that this tree was here to welcome themonarchs. Now it is here to welcome visitor from all over the world.(In the south of Chengzhen Gate)

now we are back again on the Central Axis. This brick-arched gate is knownas Chengzhen (Adopting Fidelity) .This gate is the northern gate of theCircular Mound Altar and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. The Hall ofPrayer for Good Harvest is situated at the extreme end of the axis. It wasused by the emperor in the first month of every lunar year for servicesdedicated to good harvest.

(On the Red Stairway Bridge)

entering the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, we set foot on a raisedpassage 360 meters long, which the emperor also took to proceed to the hall.This broad north-south walkway, called Danbiqiao (Red Stairway bridge),

connects the two sets of main building in the Temple of Heaven and constitutesa single axis.

The passage is divided into left, control and right paths by the crossarrangement of slabs. The central and the widest path is known as HeavenlyThoroughfare , which was reserved exclusively for God; nobody, including theemperor, was allowed to set foot onto it . The emperor used the path on theeast ,which is known as the Imperial Walk. The ministers and princes used theone on the west .Interesting enough ,there is no walkway left for ordinarypeople. This is because the Temple of Heaven used to be off-limits to them. Contrary to appearances, this walkway is not a bridge at all . But how so? This road is 4 meters above the ground and there is a cavern underneath thatwas reserved for sacrificial oxen and sheep. The cattle were slaughtered at aslaughterhouse about 500 meters away and brought here for sacrifice. All inall ,it can be said this walkway did serve as bridge and can be looked upon asthe first cloverleaf in Beijing.

Looking back at the thoroughfare, you may realize that this walk is

gaining height toward its northern end. As people approach the architecturalgroup of the Hall of Prayer for good Harvest, the flanking groves of cypressrecede and perspective widens. Here you are in Heaven.(Costume-Changing Terrace)

the marble terrace up ahead is called jufutai, or CostumeChanging Terrace.It is located to the east of the Red Stairway Bridge and covers a space of 25square meters .IT has marble Slab balustrades. The day before the service ,officials in charge would put up a yellow satin tent on the terrace for theemperor to change out of his yellow dragon robe into blue ceremonial clothes.After the service, the emperor would return to the tentand change back intohis imperial robe before returning to the palace. (Proceed to the South Gateof the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest)[NextPage]

(At the Gate of Prayer for Good Harvest)

this structure is called the Gate of Pray for Good Harvest. We can catch aslight glimpse of the central building ,the Hall of Prayer for Good harvest,though the colonnade of the Gate. A gigantic and lofty group of buildings, thecomplex includes the Gate of Prayer for Good Harvest, the hall of prayer forgood harvest, eastern and western annex halls ,the Huanqian (Imperial heaven)Long corridor, Heaven Kitchen, slaughterhouse, etc.

the annex halls were symmetrically built on a 1.5-meter-hignbrick-and-marbleterrace ,to set off the loftiness and magnificence of the main hall .Thisunique building ,38 meters in height, is characterized by a cone-shapedstructure with triple eaves and a top that is crowned by a gilt ball. Theroofing is made of blue glazed tiles, the color of the sky .Underneath theroof, the beams and bracket are decorated with colored paintings. The base ofthe structure is a triple-tiered, circular marble terrace. At a distance, theterrace looks like a gigantic, spiraling cloud with the structure perched ontop of it .

Today the hall of prayer for good harvest is the hallmark of Beijing,which enjoys a prolonged history of civilization.(At the base of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest)

The base of the hall is a triple-tiered, circular marble terrace, which is90 meters in diameter and 6 meters in height ,covering a space of 4,000 squaremeters. Meticulous accuracy was given to the layout of the structure. In themiddle of each three-tiered flight of stairs, there is a giant marble rampcarved in cloud, dragon and phoenix designs. To set off the ramps, the top ofthe balustrades and downpipes are designed with corresponding floral scrolls.In southern part of each tier, a gigantic bronze incense burner is placed.Sandalwood was burnt in them when rites were observed. (In front of the hall of Prayer for good harvest)

climbing up this marble terrace, we see the main hall ,a masterpiece ofancient China. Looking up you will see the caisson, or covered ceiling,characterized by complex designs of dragons and phoenixes. In and out , thehall is decorated with colored drawing of dragons and phoenixes.

Without the use of steel ,cement and nail, and even without the use of bigbeams and crossbeams, the entire structure is supported by 28 massive woodenpillars and number of bars, laths, joints and rafters. The four central

pillars, called the dragon-Well Pillars, are 19.2 meters high and painted withdesigns of composite followers, representing the four season. There are tworings of 12 scarlet pillars each. The inner ring represents the 12 months andthe outer rings the 12 divisions of the day and night .Between the two ringsthere are 24 partitioned spaces to mark the solar terms of the Chinese lunaryear. The pillars, 28 in number, also represent the 28 constellations in theuniverse- the ancient Chinese believed that there were 28 constellations thatmade up the sky.

The center of the stone-paved floor is a round marble slab, which is 88.5centimeters in diameter. Interestingly, the slab features natural black andwhite veins, corresponding to the dragon-phoenix design on the ceiling. Thisparticular slab is known as the Dragon-phoenix stone and is regarded as atreasure inseparable from the hall.

The furnishings within the hall are placed in their original positionsdating back to when Emperor Xianfeng ruled .In the forefront and above thethrone are enshrined tablets in commemoration of Heaven. On either table oneach side tablets of the emperor` s ancestors were placed. Each tablet isfronted by an altar. A total of 24 kinds of offering were made on it ,including soup, wine, assorted cereals, and a calf.

The sacrificial rites were observed in the wee hours of the morning,sometime in the first month of the Chinese lunar year. Because it was stilldark, candles, lanterns and torches were lit. This lighting coupled with theincense being burnt inside the hall ,helped make the ceremony both grand andmystical.

By the time the service began,207 musicians and dancers would be

performing on platforms outside the hall. The emperor, in his blue sacrificialrobe and with an air of piety and sincerity, would walk slowly into the hall,kowtow, and offer wine and prayer in hornor of the deities and his ancestors.All of the offerings would then be taken to incinerators on the eastern sideof the gate of prayer for Good Harvest. With this we conclude our visit to theTemper of Heaven. The feudal monarchs and their sacrificial rites have longvanished in history .However, this group of magnificent and lofty structuresremain as a fine testament of the ancient Chinese` s ingenuity and as one ofthe cultural heritages of mankind.(On the Long Corridor)

From the Eastern Gate of the hall of prayer for good harvest, we have nowenter a 300-meter-long corridor. Consisting of 72 sections, this corridorserved as a connecting building between the Slaughterhouse. Heaven Kitchen,and the main hall ,It is said that this once served as a sacrificial foodproduction line. Flanking the corridor are shopping stalls. You may find somesouvenirs for your family and friend there.

Well ,that is all for this tour. Thank you for your attention. I lookforward to your next visit. Good luck and bon voyage.