China’s Temple of Heaven The breathtaking Temple of Heaven, about 5 kilometres (3 miles) south of the Forbidden City in Beijing, is China’s most famous shrine. Sometimes referred to as Tiantan, the monument encompasses a group of ceremonial buildings inside a walled park. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the most important and most recognized of the group. An architectural wonder built in the 15th century, the temple was constructed entirely of wood but without nails.   Beijing’s Tiananmen Square The largest public plaza in the world, Tiananmen Square sits in the heart of the historic city of Beijing (formerly known as Peking). It is a gathering place for parades, speeches, fireworks displays, and organized demonstrations. It was here in 1949 that Mao Zedong (also known as Mao Tse-tung) announced the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and named Beijing as its capital. In 1989 hundreds of thousands of Chinese demonstrated for freedom and democracy at Tiananmen, thousands of whom died when the military stopped the demonstration by force.