Two existing temples of heaven in China are located in Beijing and Xian respectively.
Whenever referring of the heaven of temple, people will think the temple of heaven in Beijing. While in Xian, there is a temple of heaven which has much longer history and more value than that in Beijing. Because of the hidden location, it is rarely noticed by many people.
Xian is the capital city of Shaanxi province. The temple of heaven in Xian is located in the south of Tiantan Road, southern part of Xian City. It was firstly built in Sui dynasty and abandoned in late Tang Dynasty. It is a relatively complete royal building remaining today.
The temple of heaven in Xian is the second batch of units to be protected of Shaaxi Province published in August 31, 1957. Xian Administration of Cultural Heritage organized an implementation project in 2003 to 2004.
The round temple has four floors in all, built wholly with earth. It is with a height of 8 meters. The bottom surface diameter is about 54 meters, the second floor is 40 meters, the third floor is 29 meters and the fourth floor is 20 meters. The story ranges from 1.5 to 2.3 meters with a small pit on the top center of the circle location.
2 emperors of Sui Dynasty and 19 emperors of Tang Dynasty all prayed in the temple including Wuzetian. The temple of heaven in Xian is the oldest building for ritual worship of emperors. Compared with the temple of heaven in Beijing, the one in Xian is more valuable.