Temple of Earth (Ditan Park)

The basics

Set on a square-shaped plot, the temple, which is also known as the Fangze Altar, was built according to the Chinese principle of a round heaven and square Earth, with both dragon and phoenix as symbols. In addition to the altar itself, visitors can see several other buildings, including the Huangqishi (Earth God Worship House), Zaishenting (Slaughter Pavilion), Zhaigong (Hall of Abstinence), Shenku (Holy Storehouse), and Shenchu (Holy Kitchen). The grounds are also home to hundreds of trees, some more than 300 years old.

Things to know before you go

• The Temple of Earth is ideal for those with an interest in history and architecture.

• Visitors pay a small admission fee to enter the temple.

• There is a separate fee for the Earth God Worship House and for the temple fair.

• Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the temple grounds and park.

How to get there

The temple is located inside Ditan Park, which has four entrances. By subway, take Line 2 or Line 5 to Yonghegong (Lama Temple) Station and take Exit A to reach the south gate of the park. A number of buses, including 18, 75, and 125, offer access to the west gate, while bus 117 offers access to the east gate.

When to get there

The temple is open daily, with extended hours over the summer. The popular Ditan Temple Fair, which tends to draw large crowds, is held each year around Chinese New Year, with the Earth God Worshiping ceremony held in the morning each day. Fall is another favorite time of year for visiting Ditan Park.

Lama Temple

Near the Temple of Earth, Lama Temple is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples outside of Tibet, and is included as a stop on many sightseeing tours. Today, the structure serves as a lamasery for two dozen monks, and contains an impressive temple and five large halls with ornate decorations of Buddha statues, as well as murals, courtyards, ponds, and a bronze mandala.