Beijing and vicinity > Imperial Vault of Heaven, Temple of Heaven "Tian Tan" Park, Beijing by T. E. Smith-Lamothe

The Imperial Vault of Heaven is within a circular wall, along with two symmetrically flanking rectangular buildings. It is where the ceremonial gear was kept in-between visits by the Chinese Emperor who would arrive to observe religious duties such as praying for a good harvest or making sacrifices. The surrounding circular wall is known as the "echo wall" and a conversation in whispers can be held by facing the wall at one point and talking to a partner quite a distance away --- the sound travels like light in a fibre optic cable. We arrived just at closing time and, before the guard closed the massive wooden gates, he allowed me to take a quick hand-held panorama of the empty courtyard. This is a companion panorama with "Temple of Heaven", which shows the larger Qinian Dian circular temple at the other end of a long processional elevated causeway in the same park. For more information, go to: www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/beijing/heaven /