Let’s Seek Out Ancient History of Beijing in China

Take a boat slowly into the long river of history, I will find memorable attractions that record the footprints of this great country-China. When I tours in Beijing, I visit those ancient buildings such as Altar of Night Moon, Altar of the God of Agriculture and Imperial Collage.

 

Altar of Night Moon（西月坛）

Located in Xicheng District, Altar of Night Moon was a place where worshipped the God of Moon during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Covering an area of 13 square meters, The Altar of Night Moon was a square stone terrace facing to the east. Walls and Lingxing Gates were built surrounding the Altar. 

Altar of the God of Agriculture （先农坛）

Situated in Xuanwu District, Altar of the God of Agriculture was the place where the emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to Shennong, the God of Agriculture. Built with bricks and stones, the Altar of the God of Agriculture is a single, storied square terrace,15 meters in length and width, the altar is 1.5 meters high.

Now, the Altar of the God of Agriculture has become a protected important cultural relic unit of Beijing. If time permits, you should come to visit it.

Imperial Collage（国子监）

 

As a typical layout according to the Chinese ancient architectural rule, Imperial Collage indicates that the institution should be built on the right while the Temple of Confucius built on the left. First constructed in the 24th year of Yuan Emperor Zhiyuan's reign, Imperial Collage is recognized as the highest official institution of learning during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Subsequently, it enlarged several times, attaining its present dimensions, more than 1 0, 000 square meters in area, during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty.

Comprising of three well-arranged courtyards and cocooned by luxuriant vegetation, the Guozijian has such main buildings as Jixianmen, Taixuemen, glazed arch, Biyongand Yiluntang, of which Biyong is the core building in Guozijian.

Surrounded by water on four sides, Biyong was a national college and was once a stage for the emperor. Standing in the center of Guozijian, the Biyong was constructed in the 49th year of Qing Emperor Qianlong's reign.

It was here that Qianlong came to expound the classics to an audience. Thereafter, emperors Jiaqing and Daoguang also came and gave lectures in Guozijian.

While looking around these famous buildings, I could deeply impressed by the long history of China. So if you plan to have a Beijing tour and want to learn more history of China, they are worth visiting.