Must-Visit Spots in Beijing: Essential Photo Ops at the Temple of Heaven (With Guide)

The Temple of Heaven needs no introduction as a must-visit spot in Beijing, but how can you tour it in the most leg-saving way? And how to take the most photogenic pictures? 📸 Photo Ops: Even with many visitors, you can easily get great shots at these 9 spots at the Temple of Heaven❗ ①: To the right of the Qiniandian Gate, use the hollowed-out large iron vat as a foreground to cleverly capture the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. ②: Near the Echo Wall, try looking up and other techniques. ③: To the right of the Qiniandian Gate, use the red wall as the foreground to shoot the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests again. ④: Try the white marble dragon head next to the Imperial Vault of Heaven. ⑤: Shoot the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests through the crack of the Qiniandian Gate. ⑥: Since you're here, you might as well take an 'ID photo' of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. ⑦: If the sunlight is good, the roof ridge beasts on the red wall can also be photographed. ⑧: The left side of the Qiniandian Gate is also a good spot. ⑨: Enter the Qiniandian Gate and use the pillars as a foreground to photograph the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Leg-Saving Route: East Gate → Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests → Imperial Vault of Heaven → Echo Wall → Circular Mound Altar → South Gate (or the reverse) Half-Day Route: West Gate → Double Ring Longevity Pavilion → Fasting Palace → Circular Mound Altar → Echo Wall → Imperial Vault of Heaven → Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests → Seven-Star Stones → East Gate (or the reverse) 🐿️ Finding Squirrels: Enter from the South Gate and head north after exiting the Echo Wall. In the pine forest on the way to the Fasting Palace, there are many squirrels, especially in autumn when they come out to forage and will run up to you. You can bring some small walnuts or pine nuts to feed the squirrels. 🎫 Ticket Reservation: Reserve seven days in advance, closed on Mondays, bring ID card Peak season (April 1 - October 31): Ticket 15, Combo ticket 34 Off-season (November 1 - March 31): Ticket 10, Combo ticket 28 Free for seniors over 60, under 18; half price for students over 18. Definitely buy the combo ticket – otherwise, you can't enter the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven, Circular Mound Altar, Echo Wall ⏰ Opening Hours: Peak season: Park 6:00-22:00, no entry after 21:00 Peak season: Inside the halls 8:00-18:00, no entry after 17:30 Off-season: Inside the halls 8:00-17:30, no entry after 16:30 🚇 Subway 【East Gate】Line 5, Tiantan East Gate Station Exit A 【West Gate】Line 8, Tianqiao Station Exit C