Beijing Sights Close To Your Hotel: The Temple Of Heaven

Beijing has been the center of religious worship since the Ming dynasty emperor Yongle made it China’s capital. Of all the temples built to praise supernatural forces, the Temple of Heaven stands as the most impressive.

Governing the worlds largest population, Chinese emperors needed more than just intimidation and an effective government. They had to show their subjects that they had the legitimacy to rule.

As you enter this tremendous temple, a mysterious world once closed off from the average person is now ready to show all its mystery.

Enter from the southern gate. First you’ll see the Hall of Abstinence on the west side. The hall was where the emperor would prepare himself for the sacred ceremonies. During his stay here, he would stay away from onions, garlic, alcohol, meat, and sexual relations. Because Heaven wouldn’t like an extravagant emperor, the furnishings here were kept as simple as possible.

Standing opposite to this, on the east side, are the Animal Slaughtering Hall and the Divine Kitchen. Cattle, sheep, pigs, and other sacrificial animals were slaughtered and prepared for the ceremonies here. Almost 50 workers would have to work for quite a few days before they could get the job done.

Music was also an important facet of all ceremonies in the Temple of Heaven. In the Hall of Divine Music Administration, imperial orchestras practiced compositions day and night. When rituals were held, they would play all throughout. Sometimes rituals lasts a whole day and into the night!

You are sure to be amazed by the large variety of antique instruments displayed in the hall. A mock performance is staged every two hours, so make sure to stick around and enjoy.

Soon you’ll be standing before the Circular Altar, the most significant structure in the temple. The altar was built to worship Heaven. You can’t miss taking a picture here, for it was believed to be the center of the universe.

During the worshiping ceremonies held on the winter solstice, the emperor would bow down to receive his mandate from Heaven to rule China. A Chinese philosopher once wrote: if the ruler does things right, then the creative energy of the universe will be harmonious, the wind and rain will be on time, auspicious stars will show up, and then, the yellow dragon will descend from Heaven.

Now with the mandate from Heaven, the emperor is able to legitimately rule China.

Tips for choosing purple clay teapots

If you already know that a purple clay teapot is needed to bring you a wonderful tea time, the problem is: how do you choose the best teapot for you? This article will show you some basics, and make you an expert when picking a purple clay teapot.

To choose a good, suitable purple clay teapot, you should pay attention to three aspects: how useful it is, the quality of the workmanship, and the quality of the materials used to make it.

Can it get the job done?

1. Suitable capacity: For a tea service for two to five people, a 350 ml purple clay teapot is suitable. Of course, the more people there are to serve, the larger the pot should be. Purple clay teacups are usually pretty small, as the Chinese think they are fit for sipping tea carefully and gracefully.

2. Proper height: Tall and short, teapots with different heights may be used to brew different kinds of tea. If you often drink green tea, select a shorter pot. That’s because tall pots give the steam and fragrances space to dissipate, so you may miss out on the strong smell of green tea. And if you prefer black tea, you’d better buy a taller pot to get the best brew.

3. Big opening: A purple clay teapot with a bigger opening on the top makes getting rid of old tea leaves a breeze. Taking out soaked and opened leaves from a small-mouthed teapot can be a pain. And removing every leaf is important, so there’s no chance for mold and stains to develop in the pot.

4. Straight pour: Make sure the spout is long enough, straight, and doesn’t have any imperfections or particles stuck inside. When pouring tea, the flow from a good pot will be very even with no spatters of water flying off the sides. When you tip the pot to empty it, all of the liquid should drain out with just one simple motion. And the tea should stop coming out as soon as you want to halt the flow.

Look at workmanship, a good pot is always perfectly handmade

For centuries, purple clay teapots have been famous for their elaborate and exquisite craftsmanship. Almost all of the good purple clay teapots are handmade, and the visible workmanship is a vital yardstick to use when judging whether a purple clay teapot is worth the money or not.

1. Moderate firing: After shaping, a purple clay teapot is sent into a kiln for firing. What degree of firing is appropriate? Only a veteran potter can get it done. However, here’s secret way we can check a pot when shopping: Hit the pot lightly with its cover. There should just be a sweet ringing sound. Also bear in mind: Never knock the pot with the edge of the lid, which is very easy to break.

2. ‘Three Points One Line’: To guarantee a great flow from a purple clay teapot, each potter must carefully place the button, spout, and handle in perfect alignment. When shaping a pot, even a moment of inattention may cause a major defect. So as a shrewd customer, you should pay attention to this rule as well.

3. Airtight lid: The lid should fit tight, preferably airtight, on top of the pot. This is so heat and tea fragrances will stay inside longer. You can test the tightness like this: Fill a pot with water and start to pour it out. When pouring, press the tiny air hole on the lid. If the flow stops immediately without dripping, the lid fits perfectly on the pot.

4. Flawless details: An outstanding potter always attaches great importance to the small features of his pot. So when you pick a purple clay teapot, don’t forget to check out every piece. For example, the interior should be tidy and clean, and the artist’s personal seals should be clearly imprinted underneath the lid and under the base of the pot.

Check the clay itself

The quality of the purple clay used is crucial to the overall value of a purple clay teapot. You can judge whether the material is good or not by observing and touching the surface. Real, superior purple clay shines with a natural gloss. Be aware of pots that are too bright or look like something has been added to enhance the color. When touching the pot, you should feel very tiny particles, much like sand at a beach.

To know about my last two pieces of advice and become an expert on choosing puple clay teapots, just check out my Website!