Photo taken on April 13, 2006 shows the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven after a maintenance project is completed, in Beijing, capital of China. The hall was reopened on April 29 after the maintenance project beginning on May 21, 2005. The hall, landmark of the Temple of Heaven, had been served as an imperial worship site where emperors prayed for good harvests on the 15th day of the first month of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar every year since it was built in 1420. The maintenance project cost 47 million RMB yuan (5.8 million US dollars). (Xinhua Photo)

An artist performs lion dance during the celebration for the reopening of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, at the Temple of Heaven, a major landmark in downtown Beijing, re-opened to visitors on Saturday (May 6) after being closed for renovations for nearly a year.

The repair work started last May 21st and was completed with an investment of 47 million yuan (5.8 million U.S. dollars), according to the Temple of Heaven administration.

The work has restored the prayer hall's imperial appearance to that of the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1875-1908), when the ancient structure underwent a major re-construction, said Yang Xiaodong, manager of the park. This is the third time the hall has undergone repairs since the reconstruction. The last time was in 1971.

The lofty, round structure with triple eaves and a cone-shaped deep blue tiled roof crowned with a gilded knob is 38 meters high and 30 meters in diameter.

The structure rests on 28 massive wooden pillars and contains no steel, cement nor cross beams. It is legendary in the history of Chinese architecture.

The prayer hall is the main building of the Temple of Heaven, a designated UNESCO's World Heritage site, which covers an area of 273 hectares.

Built in 1420 during the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the temple remained a holy place where emperors of the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties worshipped and prayed for good harvests.

Editor: Wing