When visiting the Temple of Heaven, 90% of people head straight for the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar, snap a few photos, and leave. I, however, prefer to venture into the quiet southwest corner—where a blue glazed-tile palace, the Zhaigong, stands as the only one…

If you’ve already explored the famous Beihai Park in Beijing, admired its white dagoba and vast lake waters, you can keep an eye out for two little-known special gems in the park that are only open at specific times.

By the picturesque lakeside of Beijing’s Shichahai, stands a uniquely colored ancient architectural complex with a long history—the Imperially Built Fire Virtue True Lord Temple.

The Bell and Drum Towers of Beijing, located in the Dongcheng District, collectively refer to two magnificent ancient structures—the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower.