The Temple of Heaven in Beijing was built during the Ming Dynasty, in 1420 A.D., after Emperor Yongle had his capital moved from Nanjing to the city of Beijung. It was designed after an earlier temple in Nanjing and was originally named the "Temple of Heaven and Earth." During the reign of Emperor Jiajing, the building was expanded in 1530 to form two alters; the Alter of Prayer for Good Harvests to the north and the Circular Mound Alter to the south. The two were connected by a paved platform called "Dianbiqiao." Visitors are also captivated by the surroundunding grove of some 3,000 cypress trees which are around 600 years old.

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