Yuetan Park, an eminent site among Beijing’s renowned Five Altars and Eight Temples, was the imperial venue for worshipping the Moon Deity during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Historically, every year on the autumnal equinox, at the hour of Hai, the emperor would preside over the main ceremony to worship the Night Bright God (the Moon), accompanied by the worship of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the Five Planets of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, as well as the stars of the entire sky.
Originally constructed during the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty, Yuetan Park is now divided into the South Garden and the North Garden. The park is abundant with pine and cypress trees, as well as ornamental species such as the Bodhi tree, pomegranate tree, and osmanthus. It features ancient architectural structures like the Bell Tower, Heavenly Gate, Dressing Palace, Divine Kitchen, and Divine Storehouse, along with attractions such as the Yuetan Toad Palace, Double Ring Moon Pond, Guanghan Bridge, Chang’e Running to the Moon sculpture, Tianxiang Pavilion, Moon Viewing Pavilion, Shuangyue Pavilion, and Yuegui Pavilion, all tightly centered around the theme of ‘moon’, highlighting the ambiance of the lunar essence.
The altar surface is paved with white glazed tiles, symbolizing the white moon.
The park is open all year round from 06:00 to 21:00; from 06:00 to 21:30 during the entire year.
