i would like to add that the temple of heaven is a wonderful
place to visit not only for the temple itself but most importantly for the gardens around it and the incredible chinese crowds dancing, doing sports or just killing time. this is something not touristy, kind of sociological. very interesting.

A great way to start one's visit to China. We were en route to our hotel nearby from BeiJing Capital International Airport.

It was an early afternoon mid-week in March 2007 when I visited China as part of an organised trip from the UK. As we walked through the park area towards the gate into the Temple of Heaven itself we came across groups of people exercising or performing in small orchestral groups.

Once we were inside the gate and walking towards the Qinian Hall area we passed many people contentedly entertaining each other with music, or quietly playing cards or doing exercises in small groups. Most of the 'entertainers' were under a sheltered area and we were able to walk along outside the shelter and watch over their shoulders almost. What amazed me - coming from an environment where people perform in the open air all year round and make so much ambient noise that one group of musicians can seriously interfere with another is that the accousitcs of this sheltered area seemed to 'contain' each musical group so that they did not compete with their nearby neighbours. And make no mistake: there wasn't a lot of spare space!

The sun was warm to us English folk and being mid-week I don't think there were too many tourists around. We only visited the Qinian Hall and the two or three nearby exhibitions.

I had my first chance to buy anything. There is a small kiosk near Qinian which sells drinks and postcards among other things. English wasn't spoken particularly though I think I was jsut about understood.

Definitely recommend this as a first visit.

If you are thinking or planning to go to Beijing then do not do a tour with a company. Do your homework before you book.
We hired a guide for the 12 days we were in Beijing at a negotiated price. We made our own plans and told her where we wanted to go and that we were in no rush.
The Temple of Heaven is fantastic so make the most of it. We walked for 5 hours around this place and we did not see a third of it. When you see the organised tours they give people 2 hrs to get from one end to the other so they follow the middle path through the temple and don't have time to stop.
We went off to the sides and explored every nook and cranny and its quieter. we watched people singing and playing instruments. Though the main temple area's are beautiful and busy, go off to the sides and watch and listen. It's facinating So, plan your own trip to make the most of this amazing place.
I reccommend our guide so if you wish to contact me for her details then please do so.