The Shengle Department is one of the buildings in the Temple of Heaven. It is located in the outer altar to the west of the Temple of Heaven. It was a place for rehearsing sacrificial music and rites during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is known as the highest music and rites institution in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Shengle Department first appeared in 1420, the eighteenth year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty.
At first, it was called the Shenle Temple. There are many palaces and beautiful environment in the temple. There are tea houses and pharmacies. It is also called the Taoist Temple of the Temple of Heaven. In 1743, the eighth year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, the name of the Shenle Temple was changed to Shenlesuo. In 1754, the nineteenth year of Qianlong, it was named the Shengle Department. The Shengle Department is rectangular and located in the outer altar to the southwest. It faces east. The main buildings are the Ningxi Hall and the Xianyou Hall. There are corridors connecting each other around. There are gates on the east, north and south of the surrounding corridor. There is a square in front of the Ningxi Hall. Opening hours: From April 1st to October 31st, it is open from 06:00 to 22:00; from November 1st to March 31st, it is open from 06:30 to 22:00.
