Ritan Park

Ritan Park is the seat of the Temple of the Sun in the Ming and Qing Dynasties(1368 - 1911). It was the venue where the emperors offered sacrifice to the Sun during Ming and Qing Dynasties. It covers an area of 206,200 square meters, of which 173,192.52 square meters are covered by greenery, 4,700 square meters covered by water, and 10,357 square meters covered by ancient architectures. There are 44 ancient trees in the park. In the past few years, while maintaining its cultural traits, the park has been updated with modernized facilities with the characteristics of fun, quiet, calm, elegance and beauty. The park has completed and opened to the public a children’s amusement park and a fishing area.

Since 1992, it has attracted large numbers of tourists with activities that are rich in culture, such as music festivals, flower shows in the spring, morning exercises performances, and adoption of ancient trees. The altar to the sun is a west-facing square platform built of white stones. There are three Lingxing gates built of white stones on its due west, and another three respectively on its east, south, and north. Between the outer altar, which lies directly opposite the west Lingxing gates, and West Heaven Gate is a sacred road that used to be taken by the emperor when he came for offering sacrifices. Golden Sunset, one of the eight famous sights of Yanjing, has become a legend, but it can also give birth to nostalgia.

Main scenic spots: the Altar, West Heavenly Gate, North Heavenly Gate, Divine Depot and Divine Kitchen, the Sacrifice Pavilion, Dressing Hall, Sacrificial Mural, the Southwest Scenic Area, China Rose in Round Ponds, Yuxin Garden, Peony Garden, Senior Citizens' Area.