The temple plus subsidiary buildings and a surrounding garden covers an area five times the size of the Forbidden City. 

Chinese emperors had many other gods to worship apart from the god of heaven, including the gods of earth, water and war. They also worshipped their ancestors. As a result, religious activities were an important part of their busy work schedule. Temples of various kinds are scattered in Beijing. The best-known are the Temple of Heaven in the south, the Temple of Earth in the north, the Temple of Sun in the east, and the Temple of the Moon in the west. The Temple of Heaven is the grandest of them all.

The Temple of Heaven is worth a visit. It's a tall circular building with a very impressive interior and setting. The ceiling is wonderfully decorated, and it all seems to be arranged on huge, beautifully painted wooden beams that appear to balance on each other.