Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing


Publications

A Study on Urban Platycladus orientalis Species Identification Using an Enhanced YOLO Model and High-Resolution Satellite Imagery

2026 — Article — WHE60A79C9CB2

An enhanced YOLOv8s model achieves high accuracy (precision 81.39%, recall 78.70%) for detecting highly allergenic Platycladus orientalis trees in Beijing's Temple of Heaven area using high-resolution satellite imagery, providing critical data on their spatial distribution. This approach combines three lightweight modules to improve species identification in urban greening contexts, addressing public health risks while supporting ecological biodiversity goals. The model identified 118,723 instances, offering decision support for urban plant management and planning.

Study on the biological communities and bioweathering of the marble surfaces of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven (Beijing, China)

2026 — Article — WHE8B5078B83A

A study of the marble surfaces at Beijing's Temple of Heaven reveals that biological weathering varies significantly by surface orientation, with south-facing surfaces experiencing the most intense degradation. Dominated by aerophytic cyanobacteria and mosses, these communities thrive in calcareous environments, exhibiting distinct compositions based on exposure to sunlight, humidity, and temperature. The research identifies 'Cloud Chi Heads' weathering patterns, linked to micro-topographical features that influence water retention and microbial colonization. Cyanobacteria secrete organic acids, dissolving inorganic salts and progressively eroding the marble. Preventing their growth is critical to mitigating weathering in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yakut Temple of Aiy Tangara (Tengri) and Chinese Temple of Heaven

2026 — Article — WHEE5B7A6E6A0

A comparative analysis of the Yakut Temple of Aiy Tangara (Tengri) and the Chinese Temple of Heaven in Beijing reveals striking conceptual and architectural similarities rooted in shared ancestral beliefs. Both structures, serving as ceremonial spaces for reverence to the sky, exhibit parallel elements in their design and symbolic significance, tracing back to the nomadic traditions of the Huns. The study highlights how these temples, despite cultural differences, share a common spiritual lineage, offering insights into the enduring influence of ancient cosmological beliefs on religious architecture. By examining historical records, structural features, and ritual functions, the research underscores the potential for cross-cultural dialogue through shared heritage.

Comprehensive Review of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the Temple of Heaven: A World Cultural Heritage Site

2025 — Article — WHE78610C7412

The Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's largest and most complete ancient sacrificial architectural ensembles, stands as a testament to the Ming and Qing dynasties' imperial sacrifices to Heaven. Designated as a protected site in 1961 and inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998, it reflects the cultural significance and historical depth of Chinese civilization. In July 2024, its inclusion within the 'Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital' further underscored its global importance. This study emphasizes the irreplaceable value of such heritage, highlighting both its legal protection obligations and contemporary challenges in preservation. The research likely employs historical analysis, architectural documentation, and cultural heritage studies to contextualize the Temple's significance within broader civilizational narratives.

Connotation and Value of Study Travel Education in the Temple of Heaven from the Perspective of Ritual and Music Civilization

2025 — Article — WHE8551E9DF0E

Study travel education at the Temple of Heaven significantly enhances students' cultural foundation by immersing them in traditional ritual and music civilization. The research reveals that structured educational activities—spanning various teaching stages—foster deeper cultural understanding and personal development. By analyzing the connotations of ritual and music within this context, the study clarifies the value of such experiences for heritage education. It also proposes practical strategies to improve the effectiveness of these programs, emphasizing their role in preserving traditional culture while promoting student growth.

Decoding the "Divine Consciousness" of the Temple of Heaven: The "Mandala" Writing of Daoist Alchemy

2025 — Article — WHEE279813DC4

The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is decoded as a monumental Daoist alchemical 'mandala,' embodying the stages of Internal Alchemy—refining essence, transforming breath into spirit, and sublimating to merge with the divine. Architectural elements like the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (with triple eaves symbolizing elixir fields), celestial blue tiles, and numerical symbolism (12 pillars for earthly cycles, 4 for cosmic order) encode consciousness ascension. The Temple's layout mirrors a nested cosmological model, integrating mortal and divine realms to achieve 'Heaven-Human Unity.' This study reveals the Temple as a ritual space and catalyst for spiritual transformation through architectural symbolism.

Functioning of cultural attractors in Beijing as elements of urban green infrastructure

2025 — Article — WHE6BC71309FC

Cultural attractions in Beijing, such as the Temple of Heaven and other UNESCO-listed parks, serve as critical drivers for urban green infrastructure (GI), balancing ecological resilience with historical preservation. These sites, which constitute up to 43% of GI in Beijing's historic core, integrate eco-friendly solutions like green drainage and waste segregation, mitigating the impact of high visitor traffic while maintaining their cultural significance. The study introduces an innovative 'eco-cultural balance' concept, demonstrating that adaptive management can harmonize recreational, ecological, and historical priorities. Using a novel assessment algorithm combining landscape metrics with social functions, researchers analyzed spatial connectivity, composition, and compensatory properties through GIS modeling (MSPA) and high-resolution satellite imagery, alongside field observations. This approach offers a model for sustainable urban development in heritage-rich cities.

The Role of Mythology in Architectural Identity: The Case of the Temple of Heaven

2025 — Conference paper — WHE47081A7F34

Mythology significantly shapes architectural identity, as demonstrated by the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. This study reveals that the temple's design—encompassing spatial organization, semantic structure, and contextual relationships—embodies rich mythological symbolism, translating cultural narratives into architectural language. Unlike mere physical structures, such sites become incarnations of sacred order, blending form with symbolic meaning. The research compares the Temple of Heaven to other globally influenced architectures, highlighting its unique role in contemporary design. By analyzing criteria like spatial and semantic organization, the study underscores mythology's enduring impact on architectural identity, offering insights into how cultural narratives can inspire modern design principles.

A Study on the Application of Contemporary Chinese Urban Sculpture in Art Education at Beijing Academy of Fine Arts: Social Functions and Cultural Values

2024 — Article — WHE9DA9368780

Contemporary Chinese urban sculpture serves as a powerful tool for art education, enhancing public aesthetic literacy and cultural cognition. By integrating urban sculptures—such as those in Beijing's Temple of Heaven Park and Guangzhou’s Five Sheep Sculpture—into educational settings, students experience the interplay between art forms, materials, and space more intuitively, fostering creativity and sensitivity. This study demonstrates that such sculptures not only reflect urban culture but also hold significant potential for cultivating artistic appreciation and deeper cultural understanding in learners.

A Study on the Perception of Cultural Tourism Destination Image Based on Network Text Analysis: A Case Study of the Temple of Heaven

2024 — Article — WHE36F798D641

A novel application of the 'cognition-emotion' model to analyze tourist perceptions of cultural tourism destinations reveals that the Temple of Heaven's image is shaped predominantly by its cultural allure, yet suffers from underutilized resources and inadequate facilities. This study, leveraging network text analysis on Trip.com Group reviews, demonstrates a strong correlation between tourists' cognitive and emotional responses and their revisit intentions. Findings highlight a significant gap in awareness about the Temple of Heaven's cultural heritage, suggesting that enhancing both visitor education and infrastructure could substantially improve its appeal as a tourism destination.

Research on the Changes of Beijing Central Axis and the Construction of Temples and Altars in the Ming Jiajing Period

2024 — Article — WHE611338406A

A study reveals that the Beijing Central Axis, alongside surrounding temples and altars, embodies an ancient reverence for heaven and ancestors, promoting a harmonious urban space between humans and nature. This essence reflects the core of traditional Chinese culture. The research analyzes historical changes in the axis during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as well as temple and altar constructions during the Ming Jiajing period, to understand their correlation and impact on urban layout. By reviewing historical records and architectural developments, the study underscores the cultural significance and spatial organization of Beijing's central axis.

(In)visible bodies: Air pollution, performance art and China’s environmental governance

2023 — Article — WHE24EBD8CD27

Performance art in Beijing during the 2010s, particularly works like Praying for Blue Skies and Winter Solstice, exposed the ineffectiveness of China’s authoritarian environmental governance by leveraging visible and invisible bodies to critique air pollution. These performances, staged amid severe smog and censorship (e.g., Chai Jing’s Under the Dome), highlighted gaps between government plans and enforcement, using activist art’s emotional impact (Duncombe) and performativity theory (Butler). The study analyzes how public spaces became sites of resistance, revealing the limitations of performative governance in addressing environmental crises.

Ethnomathematics values in Temple of Heaven: An Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing, China

2021 — Conference paper — WHE89049E7DCF

A study reveals that the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Beijing, China, embodies rich ethnomathematical concepts. These mathematical principles are evident in its architectural design, interior structure, and overall building layout. Researchers employed qualitative methods to identify geometric patterns and mathematical values within this imperial sacrificial altar. The findings suggest that integrating such historical and cultural elements into mathematics education could enhance students' learning outcomes and foster a deeper appreciation for the intersection of history, culture, and mathematics. This research offers valuable insights for educators looking to develop ethnomathematics-based educational materials.

Global navigation satellite system precipitable water vapour combined with other atmospheric factors to predict the short-term change of PM2.5 mass concentration

2021 — Article — WHE509B045322

A novel approach using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) precipitable water vapour (PWV) data, combined with other atmospheric factors, can effectively predict short-term changes in PM2.5 mass concentration, a key component of haze pollution. The study found that by selecting periods with stable weather conditions and applying wavelet decomposition to filter high-frequency noise, the correlation between GNSS PWV and PM2.5 improved significantly, reaching up to 0.73. This method successfully established a multiple-regression model using independent variables such as NO2, relative humidity, wind speed, and other pollutants, demonstrating its potential for accurate haze weather forecasting. Conducted at the Temple of Heaven station in Beijing, this research highlights the utility of GNSS-derived data in environmental monitoring and pollution prediction.

The organization of masses’ spontaneous sports activities based on BP neural network model

2021 — Article — WHEA245D559CE

Analysis of spontaneous sports activities in five Beijing parks, including the Temple of Heaven Parkreveals significant disparities in participation. Using a BP neural network model, researchers assessed weekly exercise frequency and duration, finding that Temple of Heaven Park and Beihai Park exhibit strong engagement, while Sunrise Park and Purple Bamboo Park lag behind. This approach offers an efficient method to evaluate public fitness initiatives without substantial government investment, providing insights for optimizing recreational spaces in urban areas.

The Role of Astronomy and Feng Shui in the Planning of Ming Beijing

2021 — Article — WHEA7FCD4B49C

Ming Beijing's urban planning, centered around the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City, was intricately designed to symbolize the dynasty's cosmic authority. Research reveals that while the orientations of key structures were likely aligned with magnetic north, astronomical alignments played a crucial role in their topographical connections and overall layout. The study, utilizing satellite imagery and palaeomagnetic data analysis, also integrates feng shui principles—both 'form' and 'compass' schools—to demonstrate how these ancient doctrines influenced the city's design. This finding underscores the fusion of astronomical symbolism and feng shui in shaping Ming Beijing as a representation of celestial order and political legitimacy.

Analysis and Prediction of Air Quality based on LSTM Neural Network —— Take Beijing Temple of Heaven as an Example

2020 — Conference paper — WHE5A6AC6F77F

A neural network model based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) demonstrates high accuracy and robustness in predicting air quality at Beijing's Temple of Heaven. The study analyzed meteorological data from 2016 to 2018, revealing strong correlations between weather elements and air pollution levels. By leveraging LSTM's ability to process time-series data effectively, researchers developed a predictive model that outperforms traditional approaches. The findings provide actionable insights for implementing targeted air pollution control measures, offering a scientific framework to mitigate environmental risks at culturally significant sites.

Research of On-Site Screening and Non-Destructive Testing for Damaged Wooden Components of the Long Corridor in Temple of Heaven

2020 — Article — WHE15B1420853

A study on the Long Corridor of the Temple of Heaven reveals that non-destructive testing (NDT) methods can effectively identify internal damage in wooden components without causing harm. Researchers used stress-wave and micro-drilling resistance testing to screen and analyze three typical types of wooden elements, adapting techniques based on their structural positions. The findings provide critical data for conservation efforts, offering a precise approach to assess and manage damage in historic wooden structures.

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