In imperial times the emperor made offerings to the sun at the Temple of the Sun every spring.
Tips
culture
Built in 1530, it is one of Beijing's four imperial altars, one on each side of the old city: 天坛 to the south, 地坛 to the north, 日坛 to the east and 月坛 to the west. The sun was honoured at the spring equinox and the moon at the autumn one.
usage
As a park it is 日坛公园, Ritan Park, in the embassy district east of the old city.
