Ditan Park｜🩷From Shi Tiesheng’s “Spiritual Homeland” to Exploring the Ancient Altar Ginkgo and the Passage of Time

In Beijing, Ditan Park is never just an ordinary city park—it is the “National Altar Temple” where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed earth worship ceremonies, and it is also the “spiritual homeland” described by Shi Tiesheng in his work *My Time at Ditan*. Here you will find ancient altar buildings with a history of 600 years, a ginkgo avenue glowing golden in autumn, and benches and woods hiding reflections on “life and death.” This guide will help you understand Ditan’s dual charm in one day, touching the warmth in words and the weight of history🌳 1. Why is Ditan a “must-visit spiritual landmark”? The profound heritage hidden in the altar temple and literature📜 - History and status: Built in the ninth year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty (1530), it was the site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the “Earth Deities” (gods of the land), complementing the Temple of Heaven’s “heaven worship.” It is the only surviving complete altar for earth worship in Beijing, covering 37.4 hectares. The core building, the Fangze Altar, is regarded as a “model of ancient earth worship architecture.” - Spiritual core: In 1991, Shi Tiesheng wrote about his years here in *My Time at Ditan*—“I often think it is the ugly woman who made the beauty, I often think it is the fool who raised the wise, I often think it is the coward who highlights the hero, I often think it is all beings who enlighten the Buddha.” Since then, Ditan has become a “spiritual corner” where countless people seek solace for their souls. - 2025 practical info: Tickets are 2 RMB per person (peak season April–October), 1 RMB per person (off-season November–March). Core exhibition areas like Fangze Altar and Huangqi Chamber are free to enter; seniors over 60 and children under 6 enter free, students under 18 get half price. Tickets can be purchased on-site (no reservation needed). Opening hours are 6:00–21:00 (summer) and 6:00–20:00 (winter). It’s recommended to visit between 9:00–11:00 or 15:00–17:00 to avoid morning exercise crowds. Take Subway Line 2 to “Yonghegong Station,” exit D, then walk 8 minutes to reach the park. 2. One-day deep tour: 3 core routes to touch history and literature📸 1. Ancient altar complex: Witness the beauty of the “earth worship ceremony” regulations As the “soul” of Ditan, the ancient altar buildings reflect the rigor of imperial ritual systems. Allocate about 1 hour: - Fangze Altar: The core site for earth worship, the altar is square-shaped (symbolizing “round heaven and square earth”), paved with bluestone slabs, surrounded by the “Fangze Pool” (water symbolizes the “four seas”). Standing on the altar, you can see the “water pattern reliefs” on the white marble railings and imagine the solemn earth worship ceremonies held by Ming and Qing emperors. Next to the altar, the “Huangqi Chamber” once housed the earth deity’s tablet and now displays ritual artifacts. - Bell Tower: The only surviving Ming dynasty bell tower in the park, 17 meters tall, it was rung during earth worship ceremonies with a deep, resonant sound. Though it no longer rings often, the brick carvings and flying eaves remain well preserved, perfect for photographing the symmetrical composition of the ancient altar and bell tower, showcasing the grandeur of altar temple architecture. 2. Shi Tiesheng’s footprints: Find the “spiritual corners” in *My Time at Ditan* Following the literary clues around Ditan, every spot holds the warmth of time. Allocate about 1.5 hours: - Shi Tiesheng Memorial Wall: Located on the northeast side of the park, the wall is engraved with classic passages from *My Time at Ditan*—“Ditan is very close to my home, or rather, my home is very close to Ditan.” There are benches in front of the wall, perfect for sitting quietly to read a passage and feel the author’s bond with Ditan. - “My Time at Ditan” Theme Garden: The garden recreates scenes from Shi Tiesheng’s writing—“eroded vermilion gates,” “collapsed high walls,” “lush wild grass,” and the bench he often sat on (a replica). Sitting on the bench, watching sunlight filter through leaves onto the ground, you can almost hear the dialogue in the text. - Ancient cypress grove: Ditan has over 160 century-old cypress trees, with the “General Cypress” and “Watching Altar Cypress” being the most famous. Shi Tiesheng wrote, “The ancient cypress cast layered shadows on the ground.” In autumn, the cypress and ginkgo complement each other beautifully, creating stunning light and shadow scenes, ideal for photos linking “words and scenery.” 3. Seasonal highlights: Experience Ditan’s “seasonal beauty” Ditan’s charm changes with the seasons, each period offering unique scenery: - Autumn ginkgo avenue: From late October to early November, the ginkgo avenue inside the west gate turns golden, sunlight filtering through the leaves, covering the ground with a “golden carpet.” It’s a must-photograph autumn scene in Beijing. Wearing light-colored clothes is recommended to capture dynamic shots of “people in the ginkgo rain.” - Spring peony garden: From mid-April to early May, the peony garden blooms with hundreds of varieties in red, pink, white, and purple, contrasting with the red walls of the ancient altar, showcasing spring vitality. Perfect for elegant photos of “spring colors at the ancient altar.” 3. Pitfalls to avoid and warm tips⚠️ 1. Knowledge pitfalls: Ditan is an “earth worship” site; the altar is square-shaped, corresponding to the round-shaped Temple of Heaven for “heaven worship.” Don’t confuse the “round heaven and square earth” ritual system. The text on the Shi Tiesheng Memorial Wall is excerpted; for a deeper experience, reread *My Time at Ditan* in advance. 2. Transportation pitfalls: “Yonghegong Station” on the subway is closer than “Ditan Park Station.” Exit D and walk 8 minutes to reach the park. Parking nearby is difficult, so public transport is preferred. 3. Experience pitfalls: The park is crowded with local residents during morning exercise hours (6:00–8:00). For a quiet visit, avoid this time. The autumn ginkgo season attracts many visitors; consider visiting on weekdays to avoid crowds. 4. Preparation: Bring a book (such as *My Time at Ditan*) to read on a bench; wear comfortable flat shoes (many stone paths in the park); bring a light jacket in autumn for temperature changes between morning and evening. 5. Cultural respect: Keep quiet near the Shi Tiesheng Memorial Wall and theme garden; avoid loud noises. The ancient altar buildings are cultural relics—do not touch or climb them. Respect the warmth of history and literature. Ditan’s charm is never just a single landscape or history—it is the millennia-old earth worship ritual of the Fangze Altar, the life philosophy in Shi Tiesheng’s words, the golden ginkgo in autumn, and the “spiritual corner” every ordinary person finds here. In 2025, bring this guide, walk the paths the author walked, sit on the benches he once sat on, and you will understand: Ditan is more than a park—it is a passage of time and a continuation of spirit💛.