[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum Xiannongtan Temple (Updated Jan)

Qingcheng Palace, originally named Zhai Palace, was built in the second year of the Tianshun period of the Ming dynasty (1458). It was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties fasted before offering sacrifices at the Temple of Agriculture. In the 20th year of the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty (1775), it was rebuilt and renamed Qingcheng Palace, becoming the place where the emperor celebrated the completion of the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the God of Agriculture and plowing the fields in person. Qingcheng Palace is located in the Temple of Agriculture on the central axis of Beijing. The building complex faces south, with the outer palace gate, inner palace gate, main hall, and rear hall built from south to north. The east and west sides of the courtyard between the two halls are built with side halls. The roofs of the main hall and rear hall are the highest level of imperial architecture, covered with green glazed tiles. The beams and rafters are painted with golden dragons and seals, the window flowers are decorated with three-crossed six-bowl diamond patterns, and the ceilings are decorated with dragon patterns, all of which show the grandeur of the Ming dynasty imperial architecture.

The Shencang Building Complex at the Temple of Agriculture was first built in the 10th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty (1531). It is located to the east of the Taisui Hall Building Complex, covering an area of about 3,436 square meters, with a width of 41.2 meters from east to west and a length of 83.4 meters from north to south. The entire courtyard faces south and is symmetrical along the central axis. The current Shencang Building Complex was relocated during the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty. From south to north, the buildings are the Mountain Gate, Grain Collection Pavilion, Round Granary, and Sacrificial Vessel Storehouse, with the Mill Room and Warehouse on either side. The "Shencang Historical and Cultural Exhibition" is displayed in the building complex.

Xian Nong Tan Divine Granary is an ancient building located within Xian Nong Tan at No. 21 Dongjing Road, Xicheng District, Beijing. It was originally built in the 10th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1531) and was relocated to its current site in the 18th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is acclaimed as the 'First Granary Under Heaven.' The design of the Divine Granary is exquisite and its structure solid. It was primarily used to store grains harvested from the emperor's personally cultivated fields, which were used for royal sacrificial ceremonies. The granary mainly carried ceremonial functions and has unique historical and cultural significance. The courtyard of the granary covers an area of approximately 3,436 square meters. The buildings within the courtyard are symmetrically distributed along an axis, with the Shanmen, Shougu Pavilion, Yuanlin, and Sacrificial Warehouse arranged from south to north. On both sides, there are grinding rooms, granaries, and duty rooms. The wall behind Yuanlin divides the granary courtyard into two front sections, connected by a round gate in the middle. The architecture of the granary is unique, with the circular granary having a diameter of 8.6 meters. The south side features five steps, no dougong (bracket sets), and a pointed roof with black glazed tiles and green edges. Inside, in addition to the original flat-laid square bricks, there are also thick wooden beams 16 cm high and 13 cm wide, covered with wooden boards to prevent moisture. On April 18, 2024, the Divine Granary complex will be opened to the public after renovation and restoration, marking the first time it has been unveiled in over 200 years since its relocation. By visiting the Divine Granary complex, people can gain a deep understanding of the history and cultural significance of ancient Chinese agricultural civilization and royal sacrificial systems. Address: No. 21 Dongjing Road, Xicheng District, Beijing Opening Hours: 9:00—17:00 (Entry stops at 16:30) Closed on Mondays

The 'Xiannongtan' (Altar of Agriculture) was originally named 'Shanchuantan' (Altar of Mountains and Rivers), located on the west side of Yongdingmen Inner Street in Beijing, symmetrically aligned with the central axis of the Temple of Heaven. Xiannongtan was first built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420) and served as the site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped the god of agriculture and conducted the ceremonial plowing of the auspicious fields. It is also an indispensable part of the ancient emperor's sacrificial system. The layout of Xiannongtan is circular in the north and square in the south, with main buildings including the Hall of the Year God, the Altar of the God of Agriculture, the Divine Kitchen and Storehouse, the Viewing Platform, the Hall of Attire, the Palace of Celebration, the Divine Granary, the Sacrificial Utensils Storehouse, and the Altar. Xiannongtan is the highest-ranking, largest, and best-preserved ancient agricultural sacrificial site in the country.