The Temple of Earth, also known as the Imperial Ancestral Temple, served as the royal ancestral temple during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is located to the east of Tiananmen Square, covering an area of 139,600 square meters and surrounded by three layers of walls. The temple is characterized by ancient cypress trees. There are many ancient trees in the garden that are hundreds of years old. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit.
The construction of the temple began in the 18th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty. It was renovated several times during the reigns of Jiajing, Wanli, and the early Qing Dynasty under Emperor Shunzhi. The main structures include three main halls and side halls. There is a glazed brick gate and a halberd gate at the front. There are seven stone bridges between the two gates. The halls are all topped with yellow glazed tiles. The architecture is majestic and magnificent. The main hall is surrounded by three layers of white marble Xumi-style platforms with stone railings around. The layout and wooden and stone parts of the temple have largely remained intact. It is one of the complete Ming Dynasty architectural complexes in Beijing.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the temple was transformed into the Labor People’s Cultural Palace. The original internal use of the temple during the Qing Dynasty no longer exists. Nowadays, various activities such as book exhibitions are often held here.
The opening hours are 06:30 – 19:00 from April 1st to October 31st and 07:00 – 17:00 from November 1st to March 31st. The temple complex is cleared at 17:00.
Preferential policies include:
Free admission for children: under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.2 meters in height.
Half price for minors: 6 years old (exclusive) to 18 years old (inclusive).
Half price for students: full-time undergraduate and below with valid identification.
Free for the elderly: Beijing elderly with their own preferential card; retired personnel with their own valid retirement certificate.
Half price for out-of-town elderly with their own preferential card.
Free for the disabled: with their own valid disability certificate.
Free for military personnel: active duty soldiers, emergency firefighters, and armed police officers with their own valid identification.
Free for trade union members mutual aid: Beijing workers with the ‘Trade Union Member Mutual Aid Service Card’ can swipe to exchange for a visit ticket.
