The Sacrificial Pavilion, situated within the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, is a notable historical site with two distinct locations: one in the north and one in the south. The northern pavilion, which is currently undergoing renovation, is expected to be reopened in 2015. Both pavilions are found within the Round Mound and Qiangu Altars respectively.
The pavilion is characterized by its two layers of eaves, adorned with green glazed tiles. Inside, the hall is paved with blue bricks and is equipped with various facilities, including stoves, animal washing pools, and areas designated for the emperor’s prayer texts, offering tablets, sacrificial vessels, and tributes. Historically, animals were slaughtered within the Sacrificial Pavilion before being used in royal sacrifices. These sacrificial animals were not allowed to ‘see the sky,’ and thus were directly transported from the pavilion to the divine kitchen via the gate hall and a long corridor, which housed 72 rooms symbolizing the 72 earthly fiends, also referred to as the ‘Seventy-Two Consecutive Rooms.’
Additionally, the corridor is lined with stone troughs, and originally, well pavilions stood on either side of the entrance for the washing of sacrificial offerings. The pavilion’s opening hours vary by season: from April 1st to August 18th, from August 20th to 25th, and from August 27th to October 31st, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 08:00 to 18:00. From November 1st to March 31st, the hours are slightly shorter, with the pavilion open Tuesday to Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00. It is important to note that the Sacrificial Pavilion is closed all day on Mondays throughout the year.During the New Year’s Day and Spring Festival, the opening hours are from 08:00 to 17:00. For Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and National Day, the establishment operates from 08:00 to 18:00. On August 19th and 26th, the opening hours are also from 08:00 to 18:00.
