architecture
Palace of Abstinence
Beijing, China
斋宫 (Zhāi gōng) [Chinese]
Architecture
Situated west of the main sacrificial area within the Temple of Heaven complex, the palace was used by the emperor to purify himself before the Heaven Worship Ceremony, in which he prayed for a good harvest. Three days before the ritual, the emperor would seclude himself there and abstain from meat, alcohol, and other pleasures.
Specifications
width
66.0 m
length
66.0 m
area
40,000 m²
Geography
local language location name
北京 (Běijīng), 中國 (Zhōngguó) [Chinese]
historical affiliations
UNESCO World Heritage Site
type
cultural
criteria
I,
II,
III
designation
reference
881
type
cultural
criteria
III,
IV
designation
reference
1714