A Day In Beijing is an English-language Beijing podcast, created and hosted by a born-and-raised Beijinger.
Beijing history, Chinese culture, and travel, explained by someone who actually lives here.
The Forbidden City was power. The Great Wall was defence. The Summer Palace was an escape. The Temple of Heaven is something different — the most powerful person on earth, fasting for three days, kneeling alone at 4 AM, praying for a good year. This episode covers why, what it means, and why this 600-year-old altar still matters today.
📪 Next Wednesday I walk the same route the emperor walked — south gate to the Hall of Prayer, stop by stop. Hit follow so you don't miss it!Who is this podcast for?🇨🇳 Planning a trip to China or Beijing — the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and the places guidebooks miss🌍 World travellers who want more than a guidebook — cultural travel, responsible tourism, real local perspectives📚 History lovers — Chinese political philosophy, the Mandate of Heaven, imperial rituals, how architecture encodes an entire cosmology🙏 Anyone visiting the Temple of Heaven who wants to understand what they're looking at — not just the buildings, but what they meant🎙️ Anyone who wants to hear about China from someone who actually lives thereWhat this episode covers:🔹 The Mandate of Heaven (天命). The single most important political idea in Chinese history. Heaven gives power. Heaven takes it away.🔹 What religion is this? It's not Buddhism. It's not Confucianism. It's older than both. A spiritual practice dating back to 1600 BC that connected the emperor directly to heaven through seasonal ceremony.🔹 Why is the Temple of Heaven round when the Forbidden City is square? Circle equals heaven, square equals earth. The entire layout is a diagram of the Chinese cosmos.🔹 The numbers in the architecture. 12 months, 28 constellations, 12 zodiac animals, 72 micro-seasons. Every tile, every column, every step encodes the universe.🔹 The winter solstice ceremony. 33 cattle, 33 sheep, 34 pigs. The emperor in embroidered robes. Cavalry, musicians, officials.🔹 Why the Temple of Heaven is still China's most important diplomatic stage — from the Opium Wars to state visits today.New here?Listen to the trailer (3 minutes) and the pilot episode (15 minutes) for the full story of who I am, why I'm doing this, and what this podcast is about.EP1-3: The Forbidden CityEP4-5: The Great Wall of ChinaEP6-7: The Summer PalaceThis ep is a complete guide to the Temple of Heaven -- history, architecture, ceremony, and what it all means:What is the Temple of Heaven in Beijing?What is the Mandate of Heaven in Chinese history?Why was the Temple of Heaven built?Who built the Temple of Heaven?What religion is the Temple of Heaven?What is the difference between the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City?Is the Temple of Heaven in the Forbidden City?Why is the Temple of Heaven round?What happened at the Temple of Heaven?What is the winter solstice ceremony at the Temple of Heaven?Is the Temple of Heaven worth visiting?What should I know before visiting the Temple of Heaven in Beijing?Why is the Temple of Heaven important in Chinese culture?What is the significance of the Temple of Heaven today?
And next Wed. we will talk about:How long does it take to visit the Temple of Heaven?What are the top things to see at the Temple of Heaven?What is the best route to walk through the Temple of Heaven?When is the best time to visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing?💬 Drop a comment; tell me what else you'd like to listen to.🌏 Planning a trip to Beijing? I run small, responsible cultural experiences that support independent businesses and local communities. DM me on Instagram!🎧 Search "A Day In Beijing", it's also available on: Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube Music / Goodpods / 小宇宙 / Substack🌐 adayinbeijing.carrd.co📸 Instagram: @a_day_in_beijing / @chen_backinbeijing
