Inside the Imperial Vault of Heaven 皇穹宇

The Imperial Vault of Heaven is just like a mini version of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in more ways than one. Not only does it look almost identical to the original hall but it also attracts a large portion of the crowds here. However, unlike the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, it isn’t as big as a result the doors aren’t as accomodating. As a result people have to queue to be able to see what is inside.

Just like the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, it is not possible to go in the hall, you can only have a peek at what is inside. The queue for the Imperial Vault of Heaven was understandably long but it moves quite fast so the wait wasn’t that long. I was thankful that the local tourists here know how to queue, or rather they have no choice. The path to the viewing area is narrow, so it is not easy for someone to cut the queue. And just like the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, you still have to jostle for space since there will be a few of you trying to get a glimpse of the inside.

The inside of the hall was much more visible than the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, not surprising since this one is only one level high, so the roof is much closer, however it was just as dark. As some impatient local tourist will try to prevent you from getting a clear photo, I quickly got out of the viewing area. To my untrained eye, it looks much like that first hall except this one was small, but no less grand.

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