Atlas of China
Temple of the Moon 月坛Yuè Tán
National heritage site · Beijing, Beijing
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Days to budget
- Half a day
- City
- Beijing
- Region
- Beijing
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- National heritage site
About Temple of the Moon
The altar where Ming and Qing emperors made offerings to the moon at the autumn equinox, built in 1530 as the western counterpart of the Temple of the Sun. The altar platform itself was demolished in the 1960s and a television transmitter tower still stands on its site, but the bell tower, gates and robing hall survive in Yuetan Park, whose southern half is a garden of moon-themed pavilions laid out in 1983.
How to get to Temple of the Moon
In Yuetan Park off Nanlishi Road in western Xicheng District, about 10 minutes' walk from Fuchengmen metro station.
Nearby
- Beihai Park 北海公园 under 10 km
A former imperial lake garden crowned by a white Tibetan-style stupa on its island - Prince Gong's Mansion 恭王府 under 10 km
A Qing courtyard mansion and rock garden, home first to a corrupt minister, then a prince - Forbidden City 故宫 under 10 km
Six centuries of imperial power behind vermilion walls in the heart of Beijing - Tiananmen Square 天安门广场 under 10 km
A vast ceremonial square below Tian'anmen gate, where the national flag is raised at dawn - Shichahai 什刹海 under 10 km
Three linked lakes ringed by hutongs and lakeside bars, with open-air skating in winter
Also within 20 km: Beijing Lu Xun Museum 北京鲁迅博物馆 (under 10 km), White Dagoba of Miaoying Temple 妙应寺白塔 (under 10 km), Capital Museum 首都博物馆 (under 10 km), Temple of Ancient Monarchs 历代帝王庙 (under 10 km), Zhalan Cemetery (Tomb of Matteo Ricci) 利玛窦和外国传教士墓地 (under 10 km), Former Residence of Li Dazhao 李大钊故居 (under 10 km).
On the map
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