Hall for Prayer for a Prosperous Harvest, Temple of Heaven complex, Beijing

This photograph shows an exterior, partial view of the Hall for Prayer for a Prosperous Harvest (Qinian dian), one of the three structures in the Templeof Heaven complex located outside Beijing. This important dynastic altar and shrine was constructed in 1420 by the Ming dynasty Yongle emperor (r. 1403–1424). It was rebuilt and repaired by later Ming and Qing dynasty emperors, including the Qianlong emperor (r. 1735–1796) in 1751.