Journey of Tracing: Beijing Chapter

Author: Zou Chaoxia
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The Altar of Land and Grain is located on the southwest side of the Forbidden City, corresponding to the Temple of Heaven in the "Left Ancestral Temple, Right Altar" layout. Exploring those ancient buildings, it feels as if one is immersed in the long river of history. Tiananmen was first built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, serving as the main gate of the former imperial city and a symbol of feudal imperial power. The Temple of Heaven was the sacred site for emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship heaven and pray for bountiful harvests.
Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China, located at the northern tip of the North China Plain. To the northwest are the Yan Mountains, and to the southeast lies the plain. The city covers an area of 16,808 square kilometers, with an average elevation of 43.5 meters, and has a population of approximately 12 million. The administrative divisions of the city include 10 districts and 8 counties. The traditional inner city consists of Dongcheng District, Xicheng District, Chongwen District, and Xuanwu District, all within the second ring road. In recent years, the eastern and northern parts of the inner city have developed rapidly, while the western and southern areas have retained much of their old-world charm.
Beijing has a very long history, with its urban development dating back 3,000 years. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods (770–221 BC), the state of Yan established its capital in the Beijing area, known as "Ji." In the Qin, Han, and Three Kingdoms periods, the Beijing region was a key northern hub of China. In the late Western Han Dynasty, Wang Mang established the Great Yan Kingdom in the Beijing area, giving Beijing its nickname "Yanjing." During the Southern Song Dynasty, the Liao established a secondary capital in the Beijing area, while the Jin Dynasty officially made it its capital. Since then, the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties all established their capitals in Beijing, with a total of 34 emperors ruling the nation from there.
This long history has left Beijing with numerous cultural relics, historic sites, and rich human landscapes. The magnificent Great Wall and the vast Forbidden City are world-famous tourist attractions. The exquisite scenery and magnificent architecture of imperial gardens such as the Summer Palace, Beihai Park, Fragrant Hills, and the Temple of Heaven make visitors linger in awe. The Altar of Land and Grain is located on the southwest side of the Forbidden City, corresponding to the Temple of Heaven in the "Left Ancestral Temple, Right Altar" layout; exploring those ancient buildings, it feels as if one is immersed in the long river of history. Tiananmen was first built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty, serving as the main gate of the former imperial city and a symbol of feudal imperial power. The Temple of Heaven was the sacred site for emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship heaven and pray for bountiful harvests.