At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing on the evening of May 13 aboard a special plane to begin a state visit to China. Trump continued his itinerary this afternoon (May 14) with a visit to Beijing's Temple of Heaven Park. Trump is the first US president to visit the Temple of Heaven in 51 years, following the visit by then-President Gerald Ford in 1975.
In November 2017, during his first term, Trump visited China. In addition to a grand welcoming ceremony, Trump and his wife, Melania, toured the Forbidden City, accompanied by Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan. After the tour, Trump posted on social media to thank the Xi couple for "THANK YOU for an unforgettable afternoon and evening at the Forbidden City in Beijing" for them. Nine years later, Trump visited the Temple of Heaven.
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing was first constructed in the 18th year of the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1420) and served as the site where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed "sacrifices to Heaven" and "prays for a bountiful harvest." Covering an area of approximately 2.73 million square meters—four times the size of the Forbidden City—it is the largest and best-preserved ancient complex of sacrificial architecture in China. As a symbol of ancient Chinese Sacrifice to Heaven Culture, the planning philosophy and architectural craftsmanship of the Temple of Heaven profoundly embody the ancient Chinese concept of "the unity of Heaven and Man." In 1998, the Temple of Heaven was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its outstanding architectural artistry and cultural value. In 2024, it was once again recognized as a World Heritage Site as one of the 15 constituent elements of Beijing's Central Axis.
Several foreign dignitaries have visited the Temple of Heaven, including Nixon, Ford, and George H.W. Bush
The Temple of Heaven is not the most common "must-visit spot" for US presidents visiting China, but it holds special significance for US-China relations. Records show that numerous foreign dignitaries have visited the Temple of Heaven, including former US Presidents Nixon, Ford, and George H.W. Bush; Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom; former German Chancellor Angela Merkel; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, known as "an old friend of the Chinese people," has a particular fondness for the Temple of Heaven. He has visited more than 10 times and has explored nearly every corner of the site.
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has visited the Temple of Heaven more than 10 times
In 1971, during his first visit to China, then-US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger remarked while touring the Temple of Heaven: "How beautiful this is! With America's economic strength and technological capabilities, we could certainly recreate one or more buildings like the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, but how could we ever recreate ancient cypress trees that are over 500 years old? How could we recreate an atmosphere like this?"
In 1987, during his seventh visit to the Temple of Heaven, Kissinger discovered a place he had never been to before: "What is this? How come I've never been here?" His entourage informed him that it was the Hall of Abstinence, but his schedule was too tight to include it. He said, "It's okay—I come here every two or three years, don't I? I'll come back next time!" Later, he returned to the site and toured the Hall of Abstinence, making up for his earlier regret.
In 2013, Henry Kissinger, then in his nineties, returned to the Temple of Heaven. This time, he asked to sit for a while among the ancient trees. Staff noticed that he gazed intently at the "Nine-Dragon Cypress" for a long time, as if bidding farewell to an "old friend."
The Circular Mound Altar: The site where the emperor held the grand ceremony to worship Heaven on the Winter Solstice. The number of stones on the altar surface and the number of steps are both multiples of nine, as nine is the highest of the yang numbers and symbolizes the "Nine Heavens." If one speaks softly while standing on the "Heavenly Heart Stone" at the center of the altar, the voice becomes exceptionally loud.
Imperial Vault of Heaven: A hall dedicated to the Emperor of Heaven and the ancestral tablets of the emperors. The circular wall surrounding the hall is the famous "Echo Wall"; its surface, constructed of tightly fitted bricks, transmits sound waves. In front of the hall are the Three Echo Stones; standing on different stone slabs produces a varying number of echoes.
In 1973, while touring the Imperial Vault of Heaven, Kissinger heard the tour guide explain the Echo Wall. Intrigued, he asked the Chinese staff to stand behind the East Wing, then walked to the back of the West Wing, pressed himself against the wall, and spoke toward the north. Upon hearing a clear echo, Kissinger remarked, "The bricks here act like a radio."
Deeply moved by the architecture, ancient trees, and scenery of the Temple of Heaven, Kissinger once wrote the following in the Temple's guestbook: "A country with such a great past will have an even greater future."
The Beijing Temple of Heaven Park Administration recently issued a notice stating that the Temple of Heaven Park will be temporarily closed from May 13 to 14.
Details on Visiting the Temple of Heaven Park:
How to make a reservation: Follow the "Beijing Central Axis Heritage Protection Center" WeChat official account
Ticket Release Information: Tickets are released daily at 7:00 pm
Opening Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, closed on Mondays
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