the Heaven` s Storehouse was where memorial tablets dedicated to the gods were kept. Douglas Hurd, a former British foreigh secretary ,once said , “God attends to His affairs on the Cir4cular Mound Altar but stays here. ” Now let` s go in to to see it (Go through the left side door)
(In the courtyard of Heaven` s Storehouse)
this is the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the main structure of Heaven` s Storehouse. It was built in 1530 and is 17 meters in height and 19 meters in diameter. The structure feature blue roofs topped by a gilded ball ,and carved wooden doors and Windows. It is decorated with colored paintings. Founded on a 3-meter-hign round marble terrace ,the building also features a gigantic carved marble ramp laid in the stone staircase leading up to the front entrance.. The ramp is carved in “Two dragons Playing with a pearl ” design in relief. We will enter the main hall by going up the stone staircase on the eastern side.
(On the marble terrace of the main hall)
the arch of the hall is buttressed by 16 giant pillars on two rings. On top of the pillars there are gilt brackets supporting a circular caisson ,or covered ceiling .The ceiling is characterized by a golden coiling dragon design. The 8 pillar of the inner ring are painted scarlet and decorated with golden lotuses.
To the north of the hall there is a marble pedestal. Atop it ,up a wooden flight of 9 steps, is where the major tablet dedicate to Heaven was enshrined. On each flank four tablets are enshrined in honor of the ancestors of the Qing emperors. In the annex hall in hornor of the ancestors of the Qing emperors. In the annex halls in the courtyard, there are tablets dedicated to the deities of the sun, moon ,constellation, cloud ,rain, wind and thunder.
(Echo Wall and Triple –sound Stones)
Aside from exquisitely laid out architectures, Heaven` s Storehouse is also famous for two structures with peculiar acoustic features, i. E. the Echo Wall and the Triple- Sound Stone. A mere whisper at any point close to the wall can be heard clearly on the other side, although the parties may be 40 or 50 meters apart. This is possible because the wall is round and hermetically constructed with smooth ,solid bricks.
In front of the steps leading away from the halls is the Triple Sound Stone. If you stand on the first stone and call out or clap your hands, the sound will echo once; on the second stone, the sound will be heard twice; and on the third stone, the sound will repeat three times. Hence the name. (Go out through the right door and stroll along the circular path northward)
(Nine-Dragon Cypress)
the Temple of Heaven is also famous for its cypress trees-there are more than 60,000 cypress trees in all ,among which over 4,000 are more than one hundred years old ,adding to the solemn atmosphere of the temple .This tall cypress was planted more than 500 years ago.
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