With a history of nearly 500 years, it is the largest existing altar and national 4A scenic spot in China. How much is the admission fee? As long as 2 yuan!
2 yuan is just a bottle of water, but you can see the park for more than 500 years. The cost performance shows the conscience of Beijing scenic spots.
Ditan park, also known as Fang Zetan, is the second largest altar among the five major altars in Beijing. It was founded in Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty. The emperor obsessed with Taoism never ignored the sacrificial culture. He built altars, moon altars and ditan park.
The park is very large, covering an area of 555 mu. As a place where emperors of Ming and Qing Dynasties offered sacrifices to the "land gods", the park has perfect rules and regulations, and there are existing historical buildings such as Fangzetan, Forbidden City, memorial archway and prison palace.
Fangzetan is the main place of worship. According to the traditional design of ancient "heaven and earth" and "heaven and earth", we can see many squares in different directions, representing the meaning of stability and stability. The stones here are all even numbers, which accords with the "local" stress.
Every year from the summer solstice of the lunar calendar or major state-owned events, the emperors of the dynasty would go to Fangzetan to offer sacrifices and pray for "good weather, prosperity and peace". If he doesn't come in person, he must be replaced by a prince. When ancient emperors offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, they all emphasized that they were blessed by heaven, highlighting their majesty and sacredness as kings.
The slaughter pavilion is the place where livestock were slaughtered before the ancient royal sacrifice. The day before each sacrifice, a slaughter ceremony will be held here. Unfortunately, I didn't open the door on the day I went, leaving only the cold red door.
The overall impression of ditan park is simple and cold, white marble, solemn and low-key red walls, mysterious and beautiful. It is because its 500-year history has given it heavy vicissitudes of life, and it is because of its high cold. People like me rarely come into contact with each other, and even now they seem out of reach or even incomprehensible.
In addition to the sacrificial culture, it is also a place to explore the ancient times and visit the secluded places. There are 0/76 ancient trees in the park, including 90 first-class trees, most of which are over 300 years old. Trees, cypresses and pines are dominant, with evergreen seasons. The trees are magnificent, the branches and leaves are fluttering, the posture is like a phoenix dance, the breath is like a dragon pan, the momentum is like Beijing, and there is a strong tenacity.
The most beautiful season in ditan park is late autumn. There are two ginkgo avenues in the park. When it is golden and dazzling, it looks like a fairy tale world. I came in autumn, and it's really beautiful here. Walking on the avenue paved with ginkgo leaves, I suddenly feel like dreaming, as if I were in a beautiful golden scroll, which is the favorite place for photographers.
There are many pigeons in the park. They may have been here since they were born. They are more like park owners than tourists, so they boldly jump in front of you to eat. Feeding pigeons in ditan park has become a must-see experience. Pigeons are not white, gray and blue, and they look more grounded.
Ditan park is a corner neglected by tourists, and more local elderly people come. The environment here is good, and there is a beautiful health park. I have been wondering whether there is a nursing home nearby, because I can often see old people in wheelchairs, chat with each other and tell stories about their youth.
Ditan park has convenient transportation and direct subway, which saves running. This is a quiet park suitable for health preservation. You can read books and walk here in your spare time on weekends and feel the richness of history.
Address: ditan park, Andingmenwai Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing.
Transportation: Take Metro Line 5 and get off at Hepingli North Street Station. Take exit d and walk to the north gate.