Ritan (Beijing) Park
Imperial altar park in Beijing used for sun rituals
Ritan Park contains the Temple of the Sun complex used for imperial ceremonies; today restored altars, paved paths and local exercise routines make it a weekday urban park for Beijing residents and history-minded visitors.
Ritan (Beijing) at a Glance#
Address: Ritan Park (Temple of the Sun), Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Hours: Daily 6:00am-7:00pm (park hours may vary seasonally)
Admission: Small park entry fee (varies by season); Ritan Park often charges a nominal admission for special exhibitions.
About Ritan (Beijing)#
Ritan, commonly known as the Temple of the Sun, is a historic altar and park in eastern Beijing originally established for imperial sacrificial ceremonies. The site forms one of Beijing’s traditional altar complexes alongside the Temple of Heaven and other ceremonial sites.
Key features include a circular ceremonial terrace and surrounding temple buildings that were used for offerings to the sun in imperial ritual. The park today preserves the surviving architecture and provides landscaped public areas.
The Temple of the Sun was constructed during the Ming dynasty for state rites and later adapted and maintained in subsequent dynasties. Over time the site moved from exclusive imperial use to public parkland while retaining its historic structures.
Ritan sits in eastern central Beijing, within Chaoyang district, and is accessible from the city’s central axis and major urban districts.
- Imperial altar: Constructed in the Ming dynasty as the imperial altar for ceremonies honoring the sun and is one of Beijing’s historic altar sites alongside the Temple of Heaven and Temple of Earth.
What to See#
- Sun altar (main terrace): The circular sun altar complex includes the principal ceremonial terrace used historically for imperial offerings to the sun.
How to Get to Ritan (Beijing)#
Ritan Park is in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, east of the central business area. Take Metro Line 6 to Dongdaqiao or Line 10 to Hujialou and walk or take a short taxi ride; multiple city buses stop nearby.
Tips for Visiting Ritan (Beijing)#
- Visit at sunrise or sunset when local joggers and tai chi practitioners animate the temple courts.
- Combine with a stroll along Ritan Park's central axis to see Ming and Qing-era altars and the park's modern landscaping.
- Avoid national holidays when local crowds can swell significantly.
Best Time to Visit Ritan (Beijing)#
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for visiting the temple and park.
Weather & Climate near Ritan (Beijing)#
Ritan (Beijing)'s climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (571 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | -9° - 2° | -6° | 5 mm | some cloud | 51% | 1.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| February | Acceptable | -6° - 5° | -3° | 4 mm | partly cloudy | 49% | 2.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.6h |
| March | Very Good | 0° - 12° | 4° | 9 mm | some cloud | 42% | 2.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 8° - 21° | 14° | 15 mm | partly cloudy | 39% | 3.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.1h |
| May | Excellent | 14° - 26° | 20° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 39% | 2.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.2h |
| June | Very Good | 19° - 31° | 25° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 52% | 2.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.7h |
| July | Good | 22° - 31° | 27° | 204 mm | partly cloudy | 64% | 2.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.5h |
| August | Very Good | 21° - 30° | 25° | 154 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 1.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.5h |
| September | Excellent | 15° - 26° | 20° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 60% | 1.8 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 8° - 19° | 13° | 17 mm | some cloud | 57% | 2.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Very Good | 0° - 10° | 3° | 7 mm | some cloud | 55% | 2.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.9h |
| December | Good | -6° - 4° | -4° | 6 mm | some cloud | 53% | 2.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
