Which ticket should I buy?

The combination ticket (34 CNY from April to October and 28 CNY from November to March), which covers the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar.

Best time to visit the Temple of Heaven

Q: What is the best time to visit the Temple of Heaven?

Early morning. The park opens 6:00–22:00, last entry 21:00 (from November to March the park opens at 6:30), and early in the morning, locals come to the park to do tai chi, exercise and play games; you are welcome to watch, respectfully. The inner sites open later: 8:00–18:00 from April to October (last entry 17:30) and 8:00–17:00 from November to March (last entry 16:30).

Q: Which day should I avoid?

Monday: the inner sites usually close on Mondays (except public holidays), while the park stays open.

Timing matters more at the Temple of Heaven than at any other sight in Beijing: the park and the famous buildings keep different hours, and the best moments happen early. So everything below is about the best time to visit. For ticket types and buying, see Temple of Heaven tickets.

The best time of day

Early morning: the park comes alive

The park opens 6:00–22:00, last entry 21:00 (from November to March the park opens at 6:30). Early in the morning, locals come to the park to do tai chi, exercise and play games; you are welcome to watch, respectfully. Watching costs nothing extra.

When the inner sites open

The inner sites (the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar) are open 8:00–18:00 from April to October (last entry 17:30) and 8:00–17:00 from November to March (last entry 16:30). A good plan: walk the park first, then reach the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests when the sites open.

Don’t arrive too late

The park stays open into the evening, but the inner sites close much earlier. If you arrive after their last entry, you will only see the buildings from outside.

The best day of the week

Avoid Mondays: the inner sites usually close on Mondays (except public holidays), while the park stays open. On a Monday, see the Great Wall or walk the hutongs instead.

A 2-3 hour visit

Plan 2–3 hours:

Enter by the East Gate (Metro Line 5, Tiantandongmen station).
Watch the morning activities in the park.
Visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Echo Wall and the Circular Mound Altar with the combination ticket.
Leave by the same gate, or by the West Gate (Metro Line 8, Tianqiao station).

Tickets, briefly

Combination ticket: 34 CNY from April to October and 28 CNY from November to March.
Park ticket: 15 CNY from April to October and 10 CNY from November to March, grounds only.
Booking: booking ahead is optional: tickets are real-name and can be booked 1 to 7 days ahead.

Full details: Temple of Heaven tickets.

Another park that needs no advance booking: Summer Palace: tickets and how to get there.

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