广东西关景点之海山仙馆导游词[小编整理]

第一篇：广东西关景点之海山仙馆导游词

广东西关景点之海山仙馆导游词

岭南园林的芳踪倩影裹挟着悠远幽长的古韵古风，几可溯源到南越国与南汉小王朝。而历史上构筑于荔枝湾内的园林建筑，规模就更为“大观”了。如南汉王朝花园，“十里红云、八桥画舫”的昌华苑，明代兵部右侍郎黄衷的晚景园等„„到了清代，又相继出现了广州绅士丘熙的唐荔园（虬珠园），蔡廷蕙的环翠园，以及清末民初的荔香园。而其中最为著名、在清代号称为全市私园之冠的，则是广州富商及文化名人潘仕成建于道光年间的“海上神山、仙人旧馆”——海山仙馆。它的名称就因了馆门上的这副对联而得名。

苍丛荫隐、如霞锦簇的海山仙馆，似天然野趣修炼成金的人间奇境，显示着含蓄蕴藉、玲珑剔透、巧夺天工的古典园林特色，亦无声诉诸南粤民俗的那种温婉自得、怡然山水、静副世事的从容雅绪。“不知今夕是何时的云月，也不知今宵是何时的雨烟”„„

海山仙馆曾是当时坐落在荔枝湾的一座特大私人园林，是潘仕成的别墅豪宅。

潘仕成，字德畲，道光十三年（1832年）参加顺天乡试，中副榜贡生。后因捐巨款赈济北京灾民获饮赐举人，曾以经营盐务、洋务为主，后承办海防军工，遂成巨富。据考证，潘园范围大致在现今的荔湾湖公园一带，而对比当时的周边景致，南至蓬莱路，北至泮塘，东至龙津西路三叉涌，西至珠江边。可参看卢文联先生于1997年《南方建筑》刊物上发表的《海山仙馆初探》中所述：“向西望是滚滚的珠江和来往不绝的船只；向东望是西关民居和古老的广州城墙；北面有绿色的田野和起伏的山峦；南面是叶氏小田园和停着外国商船的白鹅潭。”不难想见，海山仙馆无论是其所处的风水宝境，抑或辽阔轩昂的占地面积，都在当时广东岭南的园林建筑中堪称“巨无霸”，也可谓得天独厚，威领风骚，阵压群芳的“南园范典”。

历史上保存下来的对海山仙馆的文字载述并不多见。目前反映其真迹史况的珍贵资料，主要有广州美术馆收藏的清代著名画家夏銮应潘仕成之邀所绘的《海山仙馆图》，它为今人提供了昔日海山仙馆的精致全貌；还有19世纪中叶十三行画商庭呱所作的纸本水粉画《广州泮塘之清华池馆》，介绍了海山仙馆的局部园林景致。另外，法国人于勒·埃及尔于1844年拍摄的一组海山仙馆亭台楼阁的照片；美国人亨特于1885年出版的《旧中国杂记》（该书1993年在香港再版）；还有从当时文人墨客余洵庆撰写的《荷廊笔记》及李宝嘉撰写的《南亭四话》等著作中，我们得以窥探海山仙馆的园林建筑特色与风貌：如“园景淡雅”，“不徒以华妙胜”；又如“妙有江南炯水意，却添湾上荔枝多”等。由此可以判断，海山仙馆园林建筑的主调特征，是利用了荔枝湾畔的荔枝林，从而使岭南固有的枝藤缠蔓、幽幽静默、森森渺渺、温静纤细的文化传承、地域特色与田园景观三者之录副揉交合，情景互衬，天人合一，进而昭示并呈现出岭南园林艺术最高超的境界与神髓——素雅及精致。正如卢文聪笔下的海山仙馆，有着井然不紊、参差无乱、优游天成的温婉风致：“堤上江荔，水里白荷，庭中丹桂，卷松翠桧，竹影桐阴，奇花异草相互衬托，并形成绿化体系。”的确因了自然的恩惠，海山仙馆周身为广阔而美丽的青山秀水、绿瘦红肥荫护着，环抱着，“正因为内、外都有良好的环境条件，就使得园林建筑中亭榭楼台的设计和安排能有更大的自由度”；它到处都有景可借，有绿可衬，有荫可依，故而不需要单靠雕梁画栋的“华妙胜”，也就是可以借浑然天成的灵心秀韵，而摒褪许多雕琢堆砌的匠颜。

苍丛荫隐、如霞锦簇的海山仙馆，又似天然野趣修炼成金的人间奇境，显示着含蓄蕴藉、玲珑剔透、巧夺天工的古典园林特色，亦无声诉诸南粤民俗的那种温婉自得、怡然山水、静副世事的从容雅绪。“不知今夕是何时的云月，也不知今宵是何时的雨烟”，想像中的海山仙馆竟恍似海市蜃楼，迷朦清丽，如梦似幻，记不清造物主的名姓，只当是引得无数墨客泼墨、骚人兴骚、许人吟咏无尽的世外桃源„„

海山仙馆之所以受到人们由衷的惜宠喜爱，并非仅仅缘于它的园林美景、红荔云色，更重要是它积淀着丰硕的经典文化内涵。园主潘仕成非但是十三行的大富商，而且还是收藏甚丰、蜚声域外的文化名流。他不惜斥巨资刻印《海山仙馆丛书》56种，492卷，分编经、史、子、集四部，共120册。他还用心搜罗历代名书法家的名迹法贴，将他们珍贵的手迹敬分为摹古、藏真、“遗芬”，而后飧凿成一千多块石刻，大多镶嵌在园里回廊曲径的洞壁中，他还把这批名迹石刻拓本刊印成《海山仙馆丛贴》。正因园主如此的孜孜不倦，艺海淘金，锲而不舍，海纳百川，所以潘仕成声名远播，威望大振，而海山仙馆也理所当然、承之无愧地变为当时达官显贵、名流雅士、外国豪商富贾们经常聚集的乐土名苑；甚至，连那些外国使节与政府要员官宦之间的会晤，也常常假座这里进行和谈畅议呢。毋庸置疑，前文提及的美国作家亨特，法国摄影师于勒·埃及尔，还有英国著名的摄影师、作家约翰·汤逊等，当年就都曾是海山仙馆里的常客熟友；他们迷恋这个“典型的中国园林”，同时责无旁贷地权将这“离奇有趣”且美丽超凡的天堂乐土变成了他们图文并茂的艺术珍品传播到海外世界。

潘仕成平生交游启遍天下，轻财好义，乐善好施。早年为京城、广东等地多次赈济捐资，一次竟达13000两白银之多。后来又捐资13500两抢修广州贡院，出资为小北门至白云山铺设石路等。在督办沿海七省战船时，又不惜重金聘请美国人壬雷斯来华研制水雷，获道光皇帝嘉奖。

可惜，这个名扬四海的传奇之人，后来因盐业亏累终至破产，馆园及财产被抄没入官，官府乃以每张3两银发行彩票招商，中奖者可得此仙园。据传，中奖者是位教书先生，后因得此园无用，便拆料变卖。甚至，还有人将“海山仙馆”四字拆成“每人出三官食”六字，讽喻潘仕成最后破产的尴尬窘况，呜呼哀哉！

海山仙馆，的确未能享有幸存至今的广东“四大名园”那样殷福的造化，随着它的主人潘仕成的家境败落，而被清政府拍卖，被精俗的庸才之辈肢解另卖，终至灰飞烟灭，消失无迹。谁人能不哀叹这份丰富历史文化遗产不幸遭遇呢？

好在今天，为了宏扬西关传统文化和发展商贸旅游事业，荔湾区人民政府决定要在荔湾湖公园内重建海山仙馆，且第一期工程已经建造完成。于是，令人神思遐想、仰首祈叹之人对“海山仙馆”只识其名、不知其踪的惆怅与遗憾了。

第二篇：广东增城小楼仙源导游词

各位团友：

小楼仙源是增城八景之一，今天我们参观的景点有：历史悠久的何仙姑家庙、何仙姑纪念塔、观音山神仙洞、东南亚藤类之冠的盘龙古藤。另外，在参观过程中还可以体味一下三个至今未曾解开的谜：一是为什么何仙姑家庙方圆几里的井水都略带咸味，唯独仙姑井水清纯甘洌？二是为什么仙桃生长在缺土少壤的瓦顶屋脊上，不需浇水施肥，依然枝繁叶茂？三是为什么盘龙古藤找不到根？

大家了解何仙姑其人其事吗？根据《全国古今图书集成仙部》、《中国人名大辞典》、《安庆府志》、《会仙观记》、《全唐诗外集》、《辞海》、《增城县志》等古今书籍都记载：何仙姑，原名何素女，又叫何二娘，增城小楼仙桂村人，生于唐朝开耀二年（682年），自幼性情柔静，秉承孝道，勤奋读书，过目能诵，擅长绣织，深受邻里夸赞。唐景龙元年（707年）因反抗父母包办婚姻，投井后成仙。话说何仙姑在迎亲之日骤然不见了，家人惊慌失措，见家井旁遗留素女的绣花鞋，父母深知大事不妙，命人下井打捞，谁知捞不见尸。男家碍于面子，上县衙打官司，提出不见活人要尸骸的要求。而何仙姑成仙后腾云仙游蒲田（今福建省内），获悉父母受屈，巧逢蒲田县令即将调增城赴任，就恳求县令允许她随官船返增城为父母沉冤昭雪。县令答应了她的请求，当启航之时，未见何仙姑到来，但见船舵后方水中，有一女尸逆水追随而至，尸至增城，果然是何仙姑真身。“逆水流尸”一事当然难以置信，县官就署批“升仙得道”了结此案。

此外还传说在唐朝玄宗年间，汉钟离、张果老、曹国舅、铁拐李、韩湘子和蓝采和等七仙，准备于三月三赴瑶池，参加一年一度的王母娘娘圣诞，为了凑够八仙向王母娘娘敬酒，吕洞宾决定下凡遍游天下，最后寻觅超度何仙姑成仙。

何仙姑成仙之事惊动了当年的唐天后武则天。武则天赐赠何仙姑三件宝：一是在其家乡建祠奉祀；二是赐紫霞一袭；三是在唐天宝十年下旨建一碑以作纪念。

各位团友，何仙姑家庙到了，让我们一起进庙参观。

【何仙姑家庙前】何仙姑家庙是增城市重点文物保护单位。始建于明朝，因战乱，屡经修建。最后一次重建是清咸丰八年（1858年）。家庙砖石台梁式结构，第一、三进13架出前廊为封火山墙；第二进四柱一间五架拜亭为硬山顶，其正脊和垂脊均有反翘装饰。大家请留意，庙正面山石门镌刻的隶书门额：“何仙姑家庙”，为咸丰八年戊午嘉平黄培芳所书，山门镌刻的行书石对联：“千年履舄遗丹井，百代衣冠拜古祠”，出自当年吏官王映门手笔。上联中“履”，“舄”二字均指绣花鞋，意思是一千年前何仙姑投井，她的绣花鞋留在井边的故事。下联反映了何仙姑家庙历史悠久和人们对何仙姑的崇敬。

现在让我们入庙参观。恭候大家的是屏风上的仙姑彩画，是广东著名书法家麦华三和增城著名书画艺术家陈水源的联作。绕过屏风，庙二进正堂就是供奉何仙姑的地方。何仙姑像用樟木雕塑而成，高约七十公分，原为唐朝村姑装束。现何仙姑身上披的绣花袍由泰国善信赠送，头上的珍珠头饰为香港善赠送。时代在变，何仙姑也跟上了潮流，但何仙姑的法力不变。在此求签许愿，都有求必应，灵验非常。堂上高挂着林林总总的锦旗是马来西亚、泰国、日本、新加坡等地善信答谢何仙姑的信物。家庙有两大节庆，每逢农历三月初七，仙姑诞；农历八月初八，仙姑得道成仙日，庙内的香火盛极一时。瞻仰完何仙姑像，请大家转身，我们看到的是天花井。

【何仙姑井】天花井又名何仙姑井，是何仙姑投井成仙的地方。井边的石鞋模型就是当年何仙姑投井遗留绣花鞋的地方。那么另外一只鞋去了哪里呢？一说在风光秀丽的百花山庄度假村；二是在荔枝生态主题公园--盈园。井台用花岗岩石凿成八角形状，上面铭刻“仙源涓涓，饮者万年”八个字。古井深达数丈，并不为奇，奇的是家庙方圆几里的井水都略带成味，唯独这里的井水清澈甘例。用井水沏茶，特别香醇清润，常饮此水能强身健体。

【麻姑仙桃】绕过何仙姑井往右边走，大家看到瓦背屋脊上这棵桃树，已有一百多年时间，人称“仙桃”。传说为麻姑献寿的仙桃。它虽生长在缺土少壤的瓦背屋脊上，而且从不需要施肥淋水，却依旧枝叶繁茂。传说曾有三五好事之徒，爬上屋顶，企图拔掉仙桃，但费了九牛二虎之力都没成功。其中有一个人因气愤，折断了枝叶，结果此人立刻肚痛不止，最后非得本人在何仙姑像前赔礼道歉，才解除了痛苦。大家可登上梯子观摩仙桃，但千万不能以身试犯。何仙姑的灵气为众人所折服，吃了仙桃的人更加福寿延年。因此，每颗仙桃价值连城，许多善信都下重金提前订购，购得者无不祈求平安顺境，延年益寿。

看完仙桃，往里面走，我们看到的分别是三忠宝殿、八仙殿、黄大仙、太上老君堂。为什么家庙有三忠殿呢？

【三忠庙】三忠庙供奉张世杰、文天祥、陆秀夫等三位南宋抗金名将塑像。为什么在这庙建三忠庙呢？三位忠烈继续抗敌护国，其事迹可歌可泣，在岭南地区广为流传。在此立庙一是缅怀三位忠烈功绩；二是激励后人继承先烈遗志。

看完三忠庙，请大家再到东边楼阁。东边楼阁上还有何仙姑父亲何泰、母亲吉氏的塑像以及师傅麻姑的神像，值得一提的是东边楼阁留有日本鬼子放火烧家庙的痕迹。当年，日本鬼子曾在小楼墟一带肆行无忌，有一天放火烧村，当火烧到家庙东西两堵墙时，火嘎然熄灭了。气急败坏的日本鬼子甚至出动飞机轰炸，投下的炸弹在家庙附近都炸响了，唯独落入庙中的炸弹安然无恙。仙姑显灵，日本鬼子也只有老鼠拉龟。一位日本友人被何仙姑圣灵所震撼，在事隔五十多年后，慕名前来拜何仙姑，还了心愿，并捐资二百万元，在观间山上修建了十一层的何仙姑纪念塔。

【往盘龙古藤】走出何仙姑家庙，大家是否有一种豁然开朗的感觉。现在我们去参观有号称东南亚藤类之冠的盘龙古藤。它距离何仙姑家庙大约300米。传说何仙姑成仙后返回家乡，在家庙旁的树林里乘凉。师傅吕洞宾听闻，欣然赴会。匆忙间用神仙拐杖叉住了何仙姑的绿丝带，何仙姑羞羞然掩面飞往天庭。吕洞宾撒手丢掉拐杖，驾起祥云向何仙姑道歉。于是何仙姑的绿丝带化作大家眼前的盘龙古藤，吕洞宾的神仙拐杖也日久生精，变为几棵支撑古藤的大树。

大家眼前的古藤已有千年历史。它是由青藤绕着一棵古榕和几棵杂树繁衍而成，因此藤枝交错，分不清藤生树生。藤根树头在哪里？至今仍是个谜。古藤枝干直径最粗处约150厘米，延伸跨度30多米，覆盖面积近500平方米。1986年9月珠海园林学会应邀到这里鉴定，认为古藤的学名为“白花鱼藤”，是我国稀有的植物。古藤6月开花，8月结果，花开季节，芬芳遍地，香气袭人，从远处看，这株古藤就象白色的巨龙，气势更为磅礴。如果大家有兴趣，不妨周围看看，是否找到古藤的“根源”所在。

各位团友，小楼仙源的探访快要结束了，谢谢大家对我工作的支持。

第三篇：北京六大景点英文导游词之十三陵

At a distance of 50 km northwest of Beijing stands an arc-shaped cluster of hills fronted by a small plain.Here is where 13 emperors of the Ming dynasty(1368-1644)were buried, and the area is known as the Ming Tombs.Construction of the tombs started in 1409 and ended with the fall of the Ming Dynasty in 1644.In over 200 years tombs were built over an area of 40 square kilometres, which is surrounded by walls totalling 40 kilometres.Each tomb is located at the foot of a separate hill and is linked with the other tombs by a road called the Sacred Way.The stone archway at the southern end of the Sacred Way, built in 1540, is 14 metres high and 19 metres wide, and is decorated with designs of clouds, waves and divine animals.Beijing served as the national capital during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.Unlike Ming and Qing rulers who all built massive tombs for themselves, Yuan rulers left no similar burial grounds.Why the difference? This has to do with people's different views on death.Beijing nomads came from the Mongolian steppe.Mongols who established the Yuan Dynasty held the belief that they had come from: earth.they adopted a simple funeral method: the dead was placed inside a hollowed nanmu tree, which was then buried under grassland.Growth of grass soon left no traces of the tombs.By contrast, during the Ming Dynasty established by Han Chinese coming from an agricultural society in central China, people believed the existence of an after-world, where the dead “lived” a life similar to that of the living.Ming emperor, therefore, has grand mausoleums built for themselves.Qing rulers did likewise.Stone Archway The stone archway at the southern end of the Sacred Way, built in 1540, is 14 metres high and 19 metres wide, and is decorated with designs of clouds, waves and divine animals.Well-proportioned and finely carved, the archway is one of the best preserved specimens of its kink in the Ming Dynasty.It is also the largest ancient stone archway in China.Stele Pavilion The Stele Pavilion, not far from the Great Palace Gate, is actually a pavilion with a double-eaved roof.On the back of the stele is carvedpoetry written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty when he visited the Ming Tombs.Sacred Way The Sacred Way inside the gate of the Ming Tomb is lined with 18 pairs of stone human figures and animals.These include four each of three types of officials: civil, military and meritorious officials, symbolizing those who assist the emperor in the administration of the state, plus four each of six iypes of animals: lion, griffin, camel, elephant, unicorn and horse.Yongling Tomb Yongling, built in 1536, is the tomb for Emperor Shizong, Zhu Houcong(1507-1566).He stayed in power for 45 years.Dingling Tomb The Dingling Tomb is the tomb of Emperor Wanli(reigned 1573-1619), the 13th emperor of the Ming Dynasty, whose personal name was Zhu Yijun, and of his two empresses, Xiao Duan and Xiao Jing.The tomb was completed in six years(1584-1590), it occupies a total area of 1,195 square meters at the foot of Dayu Mountain southwest of the Changling Tomb.Maoling Tomb Emperor Xianzong, Zhu Jianshen, and his three empresses are entombed within Maoling.Zhu Jianshen(1447-1487)was the first son of Emperor Yingzong.He stayed in power for 22 years.We have covered some of the most significant tombs of the 13 Ming tombs in the tour.If you are also interested in the other tombs, the best way is to come and experience yourself.Changling Tomb Changling is the tomb of emperor Yongle(reigned 1403-1424), the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty whose personal name was Zhu Di, and of his empress.Built in 1413, the mausoleum extends over an area of 100,000 square metres.The soul tower, which tells people whose tomb it is, rests on a circular wall called the “city of treasures” which surrounds the burial mound.The “city of treasures” at Changling has a length of more than a kilometre.Underground Palace The underground palace at Dingling Tomb consists of an antechamber, a ceniral chamber and a rear chamber plus the left and right annexes.One of the pictures shows the central chamber where the sacrificial utensils are on display.Two marble doors are made of single slabs and carved with life-size human figures, flowers and birds.More than 3,000 articles have been unearthed from the tumulus, the most precious being the golden crowns of the emperor and his queen.

第四篇：北京六大景点英文导游词之颐和园

the tour will take 4-6 hours.the route is as follows: out side the east gate-side the east gate ¨Cin front of the hall of benevolence and longevity-in front of garden of virtuous harmony-in front of the grand theater building-a lakeside walk from the garden of virtuous harmony to the hall o jade ripples-in front of the o jade ripples-in front of the yiyunguan(chamber of mortal being)-hall of happiness and longevity-in front of the yaoyue(chamber of mortal beings)-hall of happiness and longevity-in front of the yaoyue(inviting the moon)gate of the long corridor-strolling along the long corridor-visiting an exhibition of cultural relics-in front of the hall of dispelling clouds-inside the hall of dispelling clouds-atop the tower of buddhist incense-on a hilltop leading from the back door of the tower of buddhist incense-on a hilltop leading from the back door of the tower of buddhist incense-inside the garden of harmonious interest ¨Coutside the south gate to suzhou shopping street-atop the stone bridge inside the suzhou shopping street ¨Con the road from the south gate of suzhou shopping street-on the road form the south gate of suzhou shopping street to the marble boat-in front of the ruins of the garden of complete spring ¨Calong the lakeside by the marble boat-boating on the kunming lake-leaving out through the east gate.(out side the east gate)ladies and gentlemen: welcome to the summer palace.(after the self-introduction of the guide-interpreter)i hope this will be an interesting and enjoyable day for you.during our tour, you will be introduced to time honored historical and cultural traditions, as well as picturesque views and landscapes.the construction of the summer palace first started in 1750.at that time, the qing dynasty was in its heyday and china was a powerful asian country with vast territories.the monarch in power then was emperor qianlong.with supreme power and large sums of money, he summoned skillful and ingenious artisans from all over the country to carry out this construction work in honor of his mother `s birthday.after 15 years and one seventh of the nation` s annual revenue spent, the garden of clear ripples was completed and served as a testimony to china` s scientific and technological achievements.in 1860, this vast royal garden was burnt down along with the yuanming yuan(garden of perfection and brightness)by angol-french allied forces.in 1888, empress dowager cixi reconstructed the garden on the same site and renamed it the garden of nurtured harmony(summer palace).characterized by its vast scope and rich cultural embodiments, the summer palace has become one of the most famous tourist sites in the world.this is the main entrance to the summer palace-the east gate on top of the eaves of the door there is a plaque bearing a chinese inscription which means ¡°garden of nurtured harmony¡± , whose calligrapher was emperor guangxu.the gate that you are now entering was used exclusively by the emperor, the empress and the queer mother.all others used the side doors.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

第五篇：北京六大景点英文导游词之天坛

Ladies and Gentlemen: Welcome to the temple of Heaven.(After self-introduction)preserved cultural heritages of China.There are basically two kinds of visitors who come here: local pensioners who do exercises here in the morning and evening and sightseers both from home and abroad.All in all ,there are 12 million visitors very year.Now we are going to go along the route that leads to the alter.It will take roughly one hour.Mind you ,the emperor also walked along this route to pay tribute to the God of Heaven.(Along the Southern Sacred Road leading to the Circular Mound Altar)The largest group of architectures ever to be dedicated to Heaven ,the Temple of Heaven served as an exclusive altar for Chinese monarchs during the Ming and Qing dynasties.It was decreed that rulers of successive dynasties would place altars in their own capitals to worship Heaven and pray for good harvest.But why ? The ancient Chinese believed that Heaven was the supreme ruler of the universe and the fate of mankind ,and thus worshiping rites dedicated to Heaven came into being.The Heaven the ancient Chinese referred to was actually the Universe, or nature.In those days, there were specfic rites of worship.This was especially true during the Ming and Qing dynasties when elaborate ceremonies were held.The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 during the reign of Emperor Youngle of the Ming Dynasty.Situated in the southern part of the city ,this grand set of structures covers an area of 273 hectares.To better symbolize heaven and earth ,the northern part of the Temple is circular while the southern part is square.The whole compound is enclosed by two walls, a square wall outside a round one.The outer area is characterized by suburban scenery, while the inner part is used for sacrifices.The inner enclosure consists of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and the Circular Mound Altar.(Along the Imperial Passage leading from the Southern Lattice Star Gate in front of the Circular Mound Altar)the Circular Mound Altar is enclosed by two walls ,each containing four groups of Southern Lattice Star Gate, each in turn consisting of three doors, with 24 marble doors altogether.Standing on the passage facing north, you will notice that with each pair of doors on is narrower than the other.This reflects the feudal hierarchy: the wider door was reserved for monarchs, while the narrower one was used by courtiers.On the day of the ceremony ,the emperor would don his ritual costume and be ushered in by the official in charge of religious affairs.He ascended the three terraces in the forefront to pay tribute at the alter.(Atop the Circular Mound Alter)we are now on the top terrace of the Altar, or the third terrace.Each terrace has a flight of 9 steps.At the center of this terrace lies a round stone surrounded by 9 steps.At the center of this terrace lies a round stone surrounded by 9 concentric rings of stone.The number of stones in the first ring is 9, in the second ,18, up to 81 in the 9th ring.Even the number of carved balustrades on these terraces is a multiplee of 9.But why? According to ancient Chinese philosophy, yin and yang were two opposing factors.Heaven and the odd numbers belonged to yang while the Earth and even numbers belonged to yin.Nine was the largest heavenly number accessible to man.What is more, the ancient people also believed that heaven consisted of nine layers and that the emperor` s abode was on the uppermost tier.Once more look at the round stone in the center.The upper terrace is nine zhang(a Chinese unit of length, one zhang equals 3.3 meters)in circumference ,while the middle is 15 zhang, the lower, 21 zhang.Classified as yang numbers, the sum of these numerals is 45 zhang which was meant to symbolized success.What is more, by applying the concept of odd numbers and strengthening nine and its multiples, the concept of heaven was thus illustrated and realized.The concept of nine will also be mentioned when we visit some other buildings.Now I will give you a brief account of what happened here annually on the Inter Solstice.The memorial tablet dedicated to Heaven would be set up on the north side of the terrace, while tablets dedicated to the emperor `s ancestors would be enshrined on the flanks.The service would begin around 4 o` clock in the morning.All of the lanterns would be lit.In the foreground, a sacrificial calf is being barbecued.On the square in front of the altar, the emperor, under heavy escort of nearly a thousand courtiers, princes of royal blood ,musicians, dancers and uniformed soldiers, would slowly ascend the altar to offer sacrifice and pray in honor of Heaven.When the service drew to a close ,the sacrifice offered in front of the memorial tablets would be incinerated.All of participants would watch the thick smoke rise upward as if they were seeing God off.Music and dancing would follow.In the end ,the emperor would return to the Forbidden City secure in the belief that he would be blessed and protected by Heaven until the next winter Solstice.It is interesting to note that ,the stone in the very middle of the altar was of major importance ,since it was where the emperor used to stand to say his prayer.The stone ,which is known as the God`s heart Stone, is peculiar in that it is characterized by a specific acoustic phenomenon: it made the emperor` s voice clearer and louder, thus adding to the mystic atmosphere of the service.You can try this out by yourself.(Proceed northward to pass through the Lattice StarGate)(In front of the Gate of glazed tiles)this structure is known as Heaven` s Storehouse.It is entered through the Gate of glazed Tiles.The roofing ,beams, and brackets are all made of glazed tiles or bricks.This is the only structure of its kind in china today.the Heaven` s Storehouse was where memorial tablets dedicated to the gods were kept.Douglas Hurd, a former British foreigh secretary ,once said , ¡°God attends to His affairs on the Cir4cular Mound Altar but stays here.¡± Now let` s go in to to see it(Go through the left side door)(In the courtyard of Heaven` s Storehouse)this is the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the main structure of Heaven` s Storehouse.It was built in 1530 and is 17 meters in height and 19 meters in diameter.The structure feature blue roofs topped by a gilded ball ,and carved wooden doors and windows.It is decorated with colored paintings.Founded on a 3-meter-hign round marble terrace ,the building also features a gigantic carved marble ramp laid in the stone staircase leading up to the front entrance..The ramp is carved in ¡°Two dragons Playing with a pearl ¡± design in relief.We will enter the main hall by going up the stone staircase on the eastern side.(On the marble terrace of the main hall)the arch of the hall is buttressed by 16 giant pillars on two rings.On top of the pillars there are gilt brackets supporting a circular caisson ,or covered ceiling.The ceiling is characterized by a golden coiling dragon design.The 8 pillar of the inner ring are painted scarlet and decorated with golden lotuses.To the north of the hall there is a marble pedestal.Atop it ,up a wooden flight of 9 steps, is where the major tablet dedicate to Heaven was enshrined.On each flank four tablets are enshrined in honor of the ancestors of the Qing emperors.In the annex hall in hornor of the ancestors of the Qing emperors.In the annex halls in the courtyard, there are tablets dedicated to the deities of the sun, moon ,constellation, cloud ,rain, wind and thunder.(Echo Wall and Triple ¨Csound Stones)Aside from exquisitely laid out architectures, Heaven` s Storehouse is also famous for two structures with peculiar acoustic features, i.E.the Echo Wall and the Triple-Sound Stone.A mere whisper at any point close to the wall can be heard clearly on the other side, although the parties may be 40 or 50 meters apart.This is possible because the wall is round and hermetically constructed with smooth ,solid bricks.In front of the steps leading away from the halls is the Triple Sound Stone.If you stand on the first stone and call out or clap your hands, the sound will echo once;on the second stone, the sound will be heard twice;and on the third stone, the sound will repeat three times.Hence the name.(Go out through the right door and stroll along the circular path northward)(Nine-Dragon Cypress)the Temple of Heaven is also famous for its cypress trees-there are more than 60,000 cypress trees in all ,among which over 4,000 are more than one hundred years old ,adding to the solemn atmosphere of the temple.This tall cypress was planted more than 500 years ago.Its thick branches and twisting trunk resembling nine coiling playful dragons;thus it is known as the Nine-Dragon cypress.It is said that this tree was here to welcome the monarchs.Now it is here to welcome visitor from all over the world.(In the south of Chengzhen Gate)now we are back again on the Central Axis.This brick-arched gate is known as Chengzhen(Adopting Fidelity).This gate is the northern gate of the Circular Mound Altar and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest is situated at the extreme end of the axis.It was used by the emperor in the first month of every lunar year for services dedicated to good harvest.(On the Red Stairway Bridge)entering the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, we set foot on a raised passage 360 meters long, which the emperor also took to proceed to the hall.This broad north-south walkway, called Danbiqiao(Red Stairway bridge), connects the two sets of main building in the Temple of Heaven and constitutes a single axis.The passage is divided into left, control and right paths by the cross arrangement of slabs.The central and the widest path is known as Heavenly Thoroughfare , which was reserved exclusively for God;nobody, including the emperor, was allowed to set foot onto it.The emperor used the path on the east ,which is known as the Imperial Walk.The ministers and princes used the one on the west.Interesting enough ,there is no walkway left for ordinary people.This is because the Temple of Heaven used to be off-limits to them.Contrary to appearances, this walkway is not a bridge at all.But how so ? This road is 4 meters above the ground and there is a cavern underneath that was reserved for sacrificial oxen and sheep.The cattle were slaughtered at a slaughterhouse about 500 meters away and brought here for sacrifice.All in all ,it can be said this walkway did serve as bridge and can be looked upon as the first cloverleaf in Beijing.Looking back at the thoroughfare, you may realize that this walk is gaining height toward its northern end.As people approach the architectural group of the Hall of Prayer for good Harvest, the flanking groves of cypress recede and perspective widens.Here you are in Heaven.(Costume-Changing Terrace)the marble terrace up ahead is called jufutai, or CostumeChanging Terrace.It is located to the east of the Red Stairway Bridge and covers a space of 25 square meters.IT has marble Slab balustrades.The day before the service ,officials in charge would put up a yellow satin tent on the terrace for the emperor to change out of his yellow dragon robe into blue ceremonial clothes.After the service, the emperor would return to the tentand change back into his imperial robe before returning to the palace.(Proceed to the South Gate of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest)(At the Gate of Prayer for Good Harvest)this structure is called the Gate of Pray for Good Harvest.We can catch a slight glimpse of the central building ,the Hall of Prayer for Good harvest, though the colonnade of the Gate.A gigantic and lofty group of buildings, the complex includes the Gate of Prayer for Good Harvest, the hall of prayer for good harvest, eastern and western annex halls ,the Huanqian(Imperial heaven)Long corridor, Heaven Kitchen, slaughterhouse, etc.the annex halls were symmetrically built on a 1.5-meter-hignbrick-and-marble terrace ,to set off the loftiness and magnificence of the main hall.This unique building ,38 meters in height, is characterized by a cone-shaped structure with triple eaves and a top that is crowned by a gilt ball.The roofing is made of blue glazed tiles, the color of the sky.Underneath the roof, the beams and bracket are decorated with colored paintings.The base of the structure is a triple-tiered, circular marble terrace.At a distance, the terrace looks like a gigantic, spiraling cloud with the structure perched on top of it.Today the hall of prayer for good harvest is the hallmark of Beijing, which enjoys a prolonged history of civilization.(At the base of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest)The base of the hall is a triple-tiered, circular marble terrace, which is 90 meters in diameter and 6 meters in height ,covering a space of 4,000 square meters.Meticulous accuracy was given to the layout of the structure.In the middle of each three-tiered flight of stairs, there is a giant marble ramp carved in cloud, dragon and phoenix designs.To set off the ramps, the top of the balustrades and downpipes are designed with corresponding floral scrolls.In southern part of each tier, a gigantic bronze incense burner is placed.Sandalwood was burnt in them when rites were observed.(In front of the hall of Prayer for good harvest)climbing up this marble terrace, we see the main hall ,a masterpiece of ancient China.Looking up you will see the caisson, or covered ceiling, characterized by complex designs of dragons and phoenixes.In and out , the hall is decorated with colored drawing of dragons and phoenixes.Without the use of steel ,cement and nail, and even without the use of big beams and crossbeams, the entire structure is supported by 28 massive wooden pillars and number of bars, laths, joints and rafters.The four central pillars, called the dragon-Well Pillars, are 19.2 meters high and painted with designs of composite followers, representing the four season.There are two rings of 12 scarlet pillars each.The inner ring represents the 12 months and the outer rings the 12 divisions of the day and night.Between the two rings there are 24 partitioned spaces to mark the solar terms of the Chinese lunar year.The pillars, 28 in number, also represent the 28 constellations in the universe-the ancient Chinese believed that there were 28 constellations that made up the sky.The center of the stone-paved floor is a round marble slab, which is 88.5 centimeters in diameter.Interestingly, the slab features natural black and white veins, corresponding to the dragon-phoenix design on the ceiling.This particular slab is known as the Dragon-phoenix stone and is regarded as a treasure inseparable from the hall.The furnishings within the hall are placed in their original positions dating back to when Emperor Xianfeng ruled.In the forefront and above the throne are enshrined tablets in commemoration of Heaven.On either table on each side tablets of the emperor` s ancestors were placed.Each tablet is fronted by an altar.A total of 24 kinds of offering were made on it ,including soup, wine, assorted cereals, and a calf.The sacrificial rites were observed in the wee hours of the morning, sometime in the first month of the Chinese lunar year.Because it was still dark, candles, lanterns and torches were lit.This lighting coupled with the incense being burnt inside the hall ,helped make the ceremony both grand and mystical.By the time the service began,207 musicians and dancers would be performing on platforms outside the hall.The emperor, in his blue sacrificial robe and with an air of piety and sincerity, would walk slowly into the hall, kowtow, and offer wine and prayer in hornor of the deities and his ancestors.All of the offerings would then be taken to incinerators on the eastern side of the gate of prayer for Good Harvest.With this we conclude our visit to the Temper of Heaven.The feudal monarchs and their sacrificial rites have long vanished in history.However, this group of magnificent and lofty structures remain as a fine testament of the ancient Chinese` s ingenuity and as one of the cultural heritages of mankind.(On the Long Corridor)From the Eastern Gate of the hall of prayer for good harvest, we have now enter a 300-meter-long corridor.Consisting of 72 sections, this corridor served as a connecting building between the Slaughterhouse.Heaven Kitchen, and the main hall ,It is said that this once served as a sacrificial food production line.Flanking the corridor are shopping stalls.You may find some souvenirs for your family and friend there.Well ,that is all for this tour.Thank you for your attention.I look forward to your next visit.Good luck and bon voyage.