Taimiao Temple in Beijing

Overview

Taimiao Temple (太庙), also known as the Imperial Ancestral Temple, is located east of Tiananmen Square in Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京市东城区). It was established in the 18th year of the Yongle Era (明永乐十八年, 1420) and served as a place for Ming and Qing emperors to worship their ancestors. It was one of the “Five Altars and Eight Temples” of old Beijing. On May 1, 1950, it was transformed into the “Cultural Palace of Laboring People of Beijing” and officially opened to the public.

The temple has a rectangular layout, covering an area of 197,000 square meters, with a length of 475 meters from north to south and a width of 294 meters from east to west, surrounded by three walls. The main buildings face south, with the primary structures including the Hall of Sacrifice (享殿, Xiangdian), the Sleeping Hall (寝殿, Qindian), and the Ancestral Hall (祧庙, Tiaomiao). Taimiao was built according to the ancient system of “Left Ancestor, Right Society” and was constructed concurrently with the Forbidden City, remaining intact through the Ming and Qing dynasties.

On October 28, 1957, Taimiao was listed as one of the first municipal-level protected cultural relics by the Beijing Municipal Government. On January 13, 1988, it was designated as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

Historical Evolution

Taimiao’s construction began in the 18th year of the Yongle Era (明永乐十八年, 1420) and was established in conjunction with the Forbidden City.

  • In the 4th year of the Hongzhi Era (明弘治四年, 1491), the Ancestral Hall was completed.
  • In the 14th year of the Jiajing Era (明嘉靖十四年, 1535), Emperor Shizong (明世宗, Zhu Houzong) divided Taimiao into nine temples, changing the joint sacrifice system to separate worship.
  • In the 20th year of the Jiajing Era (明嘉靖二十年, 1541), eight of the nine temples were destroyed by lightning.
  • In the 24th year of the Jiajing Era (明嘉靖二十四年, 1545), the destroyed temples were rebuilt, restoring the joint worship system.
  • In the first year of the Shunzhi Era (清顺治元年, 1644), the divine tablets of the ancestors were moved from Shenyang (盛京) to Taimiao in Beijing.
  • In the 13th year of the Republic of China (民国十三年, 1924), Taimiao was transferred to the Beiyang Government, renamed Peace Park, and opened to the public before being closed.
  • In the 17th year of the Republic of China (民国十七年, 1928), it was returned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
  • In the 20th year of the Republic of China (民国二十年, 1931), Taimiao was managed by the Palace Museum (故宫博物院).
  • On May 1, 1950, it became the “Cultural Palace of Laboring People of Beijing” and was officially opened.
  • It underwent repairs and was closed on August 4, 2006, but reopened on June 9, 2007.
  • By January 9, 2023, the Ancestral Hall was closed again due to renovations, and the ancient building area temporarily closed on September 16, 2023. It reopened to the public on August 20, 2024.

Architectural Layout

Taimiao’s layout is rectangular, covering 197,000 square meters. It has three layers of walls, all topped with yellow glazed tiles and red walls. The main buildings face south, with key structures including the Hall of Sacrifice, Sleeping Hall, and Ancestral Hall. The temple features two main gates on the west wall, with the southern one called Taimiao Street Gate and the northern one called Taimiao Right Gate.

Within the first courtyard, there is a sacrificial altar in the southeast corner and a hexagonal well pavilion to the west. Between Tiananmen and the Duanmen, there are two corridors with 26 rooms each. The main entrance features a three-arch glazed brick gate, leading to the Hall of Sacrifice.

Major Buildings

  • Front Glazed Gate (前琉璃门): Located in the center of the southern wall, it features three archways and two side doors, all topped with yellow glazed tiles.
  • Halberd Bridge (戟门桥): Situated north of the Front Glazed Gate, this bridge is 8 meters wide with white marble railings.
  • Well Pavilion (井亭): Found on both sides of Halberd Bridge, this hexagonal pavilion features a central well surrounded by a marble circle.
  • Halberd Gate (戟门): Located north of the Halberd Bridge, it features red-painted halberd racks and a grand entrance.
  • Hall of Sacrifice (享殿): Known as the main hall, it has 11 bays and is built on a three-tiered white marble base.
  • Sleeping Hall (寝殿): North of the Hall of Sacrifice, it serves as the place for worshipping emperors and empresses.
  • Middle Glazed Gate (中琉璃门): Initially three gates, later expanded to five, with an architectural style similar to the Sleeping Hall.
  • Ancestral Hall (祧庙): Located at the northernmost point of Taimiao, dedicated to honoring the ancestors of the Qing dynasty.

Cultural Significance

Historically, Taimiao served as the royal ancestral temple and a venue for significant national ceremonies. It houses the tablets of emperors from the dynasty’s inception to the current emperor, essentially acting as a historical record of the dynasty. The temple’s architectural style reflects the grandeur of its era and embodies the traditional ritualistic principles inherent in its design.

Tourist Information

Location

Taimiao is located east of Tiananmen Square in Dongcheng District, Beijing (北京市东城区).

Opening Hours

  • Spring and Summer: 06:30—19:30
  • Autumn and Winter: 07:00—17:30

Ticket Price

  • Admission: 2 yuan per person (free for seniors with valid ID).

Transportation

  • Bus: Take bus routes 1, 2, 10, 20, 52, 59, 99, or 120 to Tiananmen East Station.
  • Subway: Take Line 1 of the subway and get off at Tiananmen East Station.
  • Car: Taimiao is approximately 3.2 kilometers from the Dongcheng District Government, about a 10-minute drive.