Region: 北京Beijing

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  Children entering the temple park

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  The entrance gate to the 祈年殿Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.

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  The triple-eaved 祈年殿Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest during the winter of 1994 when I was first here

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  The marble triple-terrace of the 祈年殿Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest during the winter.

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  祈年殿The round hall under sun-setting light,viewed from below its circular stone terrace.

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  祈年殿The round hall viewed from below its circular stone terrace.

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  View from the north side.

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  祈年殿The round hall viewed from the back(north side) marble staircase. Along the center are large stone slabs with dragon-and-phoenix-and-cloud motif carved on it.

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  祈年殿 The Hall framed by the wood columns of the its gate.

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  祈年殿Hall of Prayer in the afternoon.

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  祈年殿Hall of Prayer in the afternoon.

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  the freshly painted Temple glowing with the sunlight

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  祈年殿Hall of Prayer in the afternoon.

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  祈年殿Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests lit by the setting sun.

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  The very prominent triple circular eaves may represent the layers of heaven.

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  Side of the entirely wood structure. Its sides have intricate patterns and designs painted with the very common colors: azure, cyan, green, gold and chinese red.

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  dragon heads lined the three-tiered base of the Temple's marble base

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  detail of the marble stair-cased base

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  Staircase up the gate to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

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  Gateway to the ceremonial hall. The outline of the arch may be influenced by design patterns of ceramic and bronze vessels or, more likely, from the outline of the lotus.

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  One of the quiet corners of the complex.

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  One of the gates to the park

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  roof details of one of the main gates to the park

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  天坛 Tiantan has some smaller private areas that usually contains a garden.

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  a finely-crafted handle or knob in the shape of a lion's head with a dragon on a flat ring under its mouth. They are part of the design of a large red gate.

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  The tailless dragons that formed the handle of a large casted bell. The bell sat inside a small building with arch-shaped opennings on four sides. Four low gates were also set up to prevent anyone from getting their hands on it. But if you paid Y10 you may go in and kiss it if you like.

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  the 19 meter rotunda within the confines of the 回音壁 Echo Wall.

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  回音壁 Echo Wall is on the south of the complex. It is 3 meters high and 1 meter thick. Inside the encircling wall is the 穹避宇， a 19 meter high rotunda

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  Listening around the curve Echo Wall. One is suppose to hear the words of another whispering on the other end, but all I hear is the next person yelling "can you hear me?".

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  detail of roof and eave

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  one of the many gates that line the 4 directional paths of the complex

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  In the late hours the park has a dense atmosphere. When I passed by this tree, I was stopped me with its brilliant red violet color.

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  A girl in Mongolian dress

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  the park have a large collection of old cypress trees

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  At the closing hour of the park.

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  The temple park is a popular hangout for birds, whether caged or freewheeling. Its many old cypresses are wonderful to walk through.

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  祈年殿Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests lit by the setting sun.

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  the Temple at sunset

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  the Temple in the evening

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  View from the park area at night.

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  The gateway lit by the setting-sun.

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  Outline of the gate's rooftop and ridge against the evening sky.