Yuetan (the Altar of the Moon) Park

月坛公园

Yuetan (the Altar of the Moon) Park 月坛公园 is located to the west of Nanlishi Road and to the south of Yuetan North Road. Originally named Xiyue (the moon at night) Altar, it was the place where emperors of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties offered sacrifice to the God of the Moon and the Gods of the Stars. In 1955, the Altar of the Moon was renovated into Yuetan Park. Most ancient buildings of the Altar of the Moon remain today, In 2006, the Temple of Moon is classified as the national-level historic reservation unit
The Temple of Moon Park covers an area of 7.9 hectares, is divided into two parts in north and south. ,the northern park takes inside temple on basis and  arranges  the appropriate activity field within the north garden. The south garden is the excursion district opened up newly, make up a natural mountains and rivers pattern with the mountain stone pond, garden road full of twists and turns.

The north section of Yuetan Park features ancient buildings housing the Altar of the Moon. The Altar of the Moon has a square platform measuring 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) high and 13 square meters (16 square yards). Differing from the red glazed surface of the Altar of the Sun, it is glazed in white symbolizing the moon, and it has six-stair steps on the four sides. On the each of the four sides of the walls sits one stone gate. The east gate has three portals and six pillars while the other three gates only have one portal and two pillars.

Another outer layer of walls also surrounds the Altar of the Moon. The 5 meter (16 feet) high and 580 meter (634 yards) long wall, rebuilt in 2004, was constructed with 150,000 pieces of brick made with traditional techniques. During the construction, relics of walls from the Ming Dynasty, now on public display, were found.

Jufu Palace (Changing Palace) outside the east gate used to be the place where the emperor could change his garments and took a rest. The palace has three south-facing main halls, covered with green glazed tiles. On the crossbeams, there are traditional Chinese paintings, and a tablet inscribed in large characters “Ju Fu Palace”. Inside the palace, a horizontal tablet inscribed by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty is hanging on the wall. On both sides of the main hall, there are three minor halls covered with black glazed tiles.

Shen Ku (Holy Storehouse), Shen Chu (Holy Kitchen), and Zaisheng Pavilion (the venue for slaughtering animals) are located in the southwest of the Altar of the Moon. The east-facing Holy Storehouse is where the tablets of the Moon God are cherished, while the Holy Kitchen facing south is the place where the oblations were made. A well was dug to get water for the sake of washing sacrificial offerings.

The bell tower outside the north gate houses a big brass bell on its second floor. With a height of 3 meters (3.3 feet) and weighing two tons, the bell is modeled in accordance with the original brass bell cast in the Ming Dynasty.

Characterized by natural beauty, the south section of the Yuetan Park is the new scenic area named Yaoyue (to invite the moon) Garden. In the center of the garden, a courtyard was built in which cassia trees grow and an open-air tea house is seated. If you want to survey the whole Temple of the Moon Park, you can go to the pavilion on the top of the mountain in the northwest corner of the garden.

South Section of Yuetan Park
Characterized by natural beauty, the south section of the Yuetan Park is the new scenic area named Yaoyue (to invite the moon) Garden. In the center of the garden, a courtyard was built in which cassia trees grow and an open-air tea house is seated. If you want to survey the whole Temple of the Moon Park, you can go to the pavilion on the top of the mountain in the northwest corner of the garden. 

Entrance Fee:	CNY 1
Bus Route:	Take bus 13, 15, 19, 42, 56 and get off at Yue Tan Gong Yuan (Yuetan Park) Station.
Opening Hours:	06:00-19:30

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