Ditan Park

Ditan Park is the site of the Temple of Earth where the Emperor made sacrifices to the Earth, a counterpart to the Temple of Heaven. We rode our tandem there early Sunday morning, a pleasant time before it gets too hot and with less traffic on the roads. (There is a map here.) We arrived at about 8 o'clock, and the park was still full of Chinese people performing the enormous variety of morning activities that we have seen in ever park we have visited.


Park full of Dancers




Water Calligraphers


Calligraphy Brushes


Fan Dancers


"Walking" the Pet Bird
The temple plays a rather minor role in the park, and there was almost no-one there when we went in. There is a very large square "altar", signifying the Earth, where the emperor made the sacrifices (the Temple of Heaven has a round altar, signifying the Heavens). The nearby hall had a lovely old ceiling, and some interesting artifacts such as a large drum and some stone chimes.


Square Altar


Gateway to the Altar


Walls


Colorful Ceiling


Drum
As well as the ancient temple, the park has an amusement arcade in one corner


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