Beijing - Earth Altar

North of the Lama Temple stands this well-preserved Confucian place of worship where during the summer solstice the emperor would bring large sacrifices of food and drink for Earth. Earth is said to have Yin qualities and thus be the opposite of Heaven. This is reflected in the design: it is oriented northwards, laid out as a square, and the color of Earth, yellow, as well as even numbers are used.

The complex was built in 1530. At its center is the two-tier Fangze Tan sacrificial terrace which is situated in a similarly square walled area, surrounded by a square moat. Adjoining to the south is the Huanqi Si Hall which holds the spirit plaques of the Earth spirits, as well as plaques for the Four Oceans and the Five Sacred Mountains and of the previous emperors. Other buildings are the Shenku courtyard adjoining the altar in the southwest, where ceremonial tools are kept, as well as Zhagong, the Palace of Fasting northwest of the altar to which the emperor withdrew the day before the sacrifices in order to prepare and cleanse himself. Today, the Palace of Fasting holds a wax figure museum.
Since 1984 the area was converted into a park with a center for the aged.