Impressive paifang at Ditan’s West Gate
Visitors entering the West Gate of Beijing’s Ditan Park walk through this beautiful paifang, or decorative gate.
The paifang is even more impressive up close.
The West Gate, or paifang, at Beijing’s Ditan Park, is impressive in it’s size and style. It’s a tall gate, probably close to 35 feet high and is in the traditional style for a Chinese arch or gate. The rooftops are familiar to anyone who’s been to the Forbidden City and other imperial sites, complete with guardian animals on the edges of the sloping sides.
Ditan Park was the site of the Temple of the Earth, which was one of the four major temples of Beijing, and is north of the Forbidden City complex. Built during the Ming Dynasty in 1530, it was the site of summer solstice ceremonies. Today it’s a popular 115-acre leisure spot for a nice stroll amid its lovely gardens and tree-lined pathways. During Chinese New Year it holds one of the best temple fairs in the area.
