Beijing - Museum for Chinese Architecture Jianzhu Bowuguan

The largest of the imperial altar complexes, after the Vault of Heaven, is situated west of it, opposite Beijing's north-south axis (access from the north). Here the emperor used to open the farming season in spring by personally ploughing eight furrows. The main part of the grounds has now built up within the last few decades. Of the buildings that are preserved only the Hall of the Year Gods (Taisui Dian) and its adjacent buildings can be visited. The largest hall of the complex, it is covered in black-glazed tiles. Here the emperor sacrificed to the god of the current year and asked for a good harvest. Today it houses the Museum of Chinese Architecture. Models, drawings and photographs bear witness to types and changes of styles, but also document the building of bridges and other constructions.