The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Built in the 18th year of Emperor Yongle’s reign (1420), the original hall, rectangular in shape, was first named the Great Hall for Sacrificial Rituals used to worship both Earth and Heaven. Rebuilt in the 24th year of Emperor Jiajing’s reign (1545) into a round hall with a roof of three eaves covered with blue, yellow and green glazed tiles respectively, symbolizing Heaven, Earth and the mortal world, it was renamed the Great Hall for Offering Sacrifices.

Reconstructed in the 16th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1751), it was surmounted by a triple roof with azure glazed tiles only, culminating in a gilded sphere, and designated the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, exclusively used to pray for good harvests in early spring (the first month of the lunar year).

With a height of 38.2 metres and a diameter of 24.2 metres, the hall is supported by immense pillars, symbolizing the four seasons, the 12 months of the year, the 12 time divisions of the day and night, and all the constellations.