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Photo credits: Tianzi Hotel.

The Tianzi Hotel in China is a remarkable and unique architectural creation that stands out for its innovative design and cultural significance. Despite the potential ban on "weird architecture," China has already provided the world with this extraordinary structure.

The name "Tianzi" translates to "Son of Heaven" in English, and it's fitting considering the hotel's design is modeled after three Chinese gods. These bearded figures, representing attributes associated with a good life, are directly linked to the Ming Dynasty, which reigned from 1368 to 1644. Each god embodies a different aspect of life and holds both astrological and historical significance.

In the center, the figure in a red robe represents Fu, symbolizing fortune and associated with the planet Jupiter. To the right, the green-robed figure is Lu, representing prosperity and related to the concept of government official salary. The white-haired figure resembling Santa Claus at the far left is Shou, closely connected with longevity. Shou's star in Chinese astronomy is linked to the South Pole, believed to control human lifespans. Traditional Chinese iconography often depicts Shou carrying a peach, and the Tianzi Hotel continues this symbolism with a room named the "peach room."

While the hotel consistently ranks among the world's most bizarre accommodations, detailed information about its interior remains scarce, with stories of visits being passed down from traveler to traveler. In an age where internet access allows travelers to find extensive details about accommodations before booking, the mysterious allure of staying inside a row of legendary god-inspired buildings, relying on word of mouth and perhaps bilingual friends, adds a touch of enchantment to the experience.

Tianzi Hotel

The Temple of Heaven, also known as the Altar of Heaven, is a complex of religious buildings located in the southeastern part of Beijing, China. It was originally constructed in 1420 during the Ming dynasty and expanded during the Qing dynasty. The complex served as the site of imperial ceremonies and sacrifices offered by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to Heaven.

The Temple of Heaven covers an area of approximately 273 hectares and consists of three main groups of constructions: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Circular Mound Altar. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the most famous and impressive structure in the complex. It is a circular building with a triple-eaved roof covered with blue glazed tiles, and stands on a three-tiered marble terrace.

The Imperial Vault of Heaven is a smaller circular building located to the south of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. It is surrounded by a smooth, circular wall called the Echo Wall. Visitors can stand on opposite sides of the wall and hear each other's whispers clearly due to the way the wall is designed.

The Circular Mound Altar is located south of the Imperial Vault of Heaven and is surrounded by a round wall. It is made up of three circular platforms of white marble, each one smaller than the one below it. The emperor would stand on the top platform to offer prayers and sacrifices to Heaven.

The Temple of Heaven is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Beijing. It is considered a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design, representing the pinnacle of traditional Chinese architectural and artistic achievement. It is a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in Chinese history and culture.

Temple of Heaven

Tiananmen Square is a large public square located in the center of Beijing, China. It is the world's largest city square and has a history spanning more than 500 years. The square is named after the Tiananmen Gate, which sits at the northern end of the square and is the entrance to the Forbidden City.

The square has great historical significance and has been the site of many important events in Chinese history, such as the proclamation of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong on October 1, 1949, and the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

The square covers an area of 109 acres and is surrounded by important buildings such as the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Monument to the People's Heroes. At the center of the square is the famous Tiananmen Tower, which was built during the Ming Dynasty and is now a symbol of Beijing.

Tiananmen Square is open to the public and is visited by millions of tourists every year. Visitors can walk around the square, take photos, and watch the daily flag-raising ceremony at sunrise and flag-lowering ceremony at sunset. The square is also used for public gatherings and events, such as the National Day Parade held every year on October 1.

Tiananmen Square

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) is a state-of-the-art cultural complex located in Beijing, China. It was designed by French architect Paul Andreu and opened in December 2007. The complex is composed of three primary venues: an opera house, a concert hall, and a theater, and it spans over 118,000 square meters.

The NCPA is notable for its striking modern design, featuring an elliptical shape surrounded by a man-made lake. The exterior of the building is made of glass and titanium, and the interior is decorated with marble, gold leaf, and other luxurious materials.

The opera house at the NCPA has a seating capacity of 2,416 and is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual systems. It is designed for the performance of both traditional Chinese and Western operas, as well as ballet and other dance performances.

The concert hall can seat up to 2,017 people and is used for symphonic concerts, chamber music performances, and other types of musical performances. It features an adjustable acoustic system that can be customized for different types of music.

The theater at the NCPA is a multi-purpose venue with a seating capacity of up to 1,035 people. It is used for a variety of performances, including dramas, musicals, and traditional Chinese theater.

In addition to the primary venues, the NCPA also houses a number of rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, and other facilities for performers. The complex also features a number of restaurants, cafes, and shops, as well as a large underground parking garage.

Since its opening, the NCPA has become a major cultural center in China, hosting a wide variety of performances and events throughout the year. It has also become a popular tourist destination, with visitors from around the world coming to admire its striking architecture and attend its many cultural offerings.

National Centre for the Performing Arts China

The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, is a palace complex located in the center of Beijing, China. It served as the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties from the 15th century to the early 20th century. The palace is surrounded by a moat and a high wall and covers an area of over 720,000 square meters, making it one of the largest palace complexes in the world. The Forbidden City is composed of 980 buildings, including palaces, halls, towers, and pavilions, all of which are richly decorated with colorful murals, intricate carvings, and gilded roofs.

The Forbidden City is an important cultural heritage site and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Beijing and draws millions of visitors each year to see its magnificent architecture, rich history, and cultural significance. Visitors can tour the palace and its numerous halls, gardens, and temples to learn about the history of the imperial court and see the grandeur of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

In recent years, efforts have been made to restore the Forbidden City to its former glory, and many of its buildings have been renovated and restored to their original appearance. The Forbidden City is an important symbol of Chinese culture and history and continues to be a major tourist destination for visitors from around the world.

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