The Abstinence Palace is located inside the west gate of the Temple of Heaven. It covers an area of about 40,000 square meters and has double walls. There are 167 corridors around the inner wall, which are places for guards to shelter from the wind and rain. The main hall is a five-room beamless hall and is one of the famous buildings in the capital. The roof of the Abstinence Palace is covered with blue glazed tiles, indicating that one dare not claim supremacy before heaven.
On the open platform in front of the hall are the time stele pavilion and the abstinence bronze figure pavilion. Wearing ancient civil official clothing and holding a bronze plaque engraved with the words ‘abstinence’. It is said to be made in imitation of Wei Zheng, a prime minister of the Tang Dynasty. Behind the main hall are five bedrooms, which are places for the emperor to fast before offering sacrifices. In addition, there are auxiliary buildings such as the tea and fruit bureau, the kitchen, and the sundry goods room. All houses are in sets of five rooms, symmetrical in north-south and left-right directions. Entering the Abstinence Palace, one feels that although it is not as resplendent as the Forbidden City, it is also elegant and quiet. The main hall of the Abstinence Palace has red walls and green tiles, which is extremely spectacular. It is said that this kind of green tile indicates that the emperor dare not be presumptuous here and can only be a subject to heaven. The main hall of the Abstinence Palace is a beamless brick structure arch building, so it is also called the ‘beamless hall’. Opening hours: Open from 08:00 to 17:00 all year round; open from 08:00 to 18:00 all year round. For specific opening hours, please consult the scenic area.
