The Temple of the Earth (simplified Chinese: 地坛; traditional Chinese: 地壇; pinyin: Dìtán) in Beijing, China, is located in the northern part of central Beijing, around the Andingmen area and just outside Beijing's second ring road. It is also located just a few hundred yards north of Yonghe Temple. At 42.7 hectares (106 acres), it is the second largest of the five Temples of Beijing behind only the Temple of Heaven. It was built in 1530 during the Ming dynasty. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would attend the annual summer solstice ritual of offerings to the heaven. The Temple of Heaven in Chongwenmen lies opposite it in the southern end of the old city.
