Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum | Gaze at the Starry Sky from 600 Years Ago

⛩️ The Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum is located in the Xiannong Altar, a royal altar from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Xiannong Altar was built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming dynasty (1420) and was used by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship the god of agriculture and hold plowing ceremonies. Every year in the second or third month of the lunar calendar, the emperor would choose an auspicious day to come to the Xiannong Altar to hold a ceremony to worship the god of agriculture and plow the fields, praying for good weather and a bountiful harvest, and to encourage farming and sericulture. 🌈 Attraction Introduction ⛳ Worship Hall - Upon entering, you will see the Bilupanlong Caisson, with a dragon carved from golden nanmu wood coiled around it, lifelike and vivid. ⛳ Taisui Hall - The museum's treasure, the "Starry Sky Caisson," originally belonged to the Zhengjue Hall of Longfu Temple, but was shaken down by an earthquake and collected by the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum in 1989. It was restored in 1995. The caisson has six layers, five of which remain, with a square in the center and a circle within the square, surrounded by carvings of heavenly palaces and the four heavenly kings guarding each direction. In the center, a star map with over 1,400 stars shines brightly, spanning 600 years. ⛳ Divine Kitchen - Mainly displays the grand ceremonies of the Ming and Qing emperors' agricultural rituals and the history and culture of the Xiannong Altar. ⛳ Plowing Platform - The ancient spring plowing ceremony was held here. Before plowing, the emperor would first ascend the Plowing Platform to watch the ministers plow the fields. ⛳ One Mu and Three Fen of Land - The fields personally plowed by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties are still being cultivated today. Spring plowing and autumn harvest activities are held every year, and you can sign up to participate through official channels. ⛳ Divine Granary - The Divine Granary Round Granary is known as the "First Granary in the World," with buildings such as the Divine Granary Round Granary, Mountain Gate, Grinding Room, Grain Pavilion, Warehouse, and Sacrificial Vessel Storehouse, as well as the rare "Xionghuang Jade Swirl Painting" in ancient architecture. It was opened for the first time in 270 years on April 18 this year (a separate courtyard, outside the scenic area, diagonally across the road). 📍 Address: No. 21, Dongjing Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 🎫 Ticket: ¥15/person, buy tickets on the official account or on-site ⏰️ Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (closed on Mondays) 🚇 Transportation: Take Metro Line 8 to Tianqiao Station, Exit D, and walk for 10 minutes 🚗 Self-driving: Free parking, limited spaces