Built in 1530, the Temple of Earth is located in the northern part of Beijing, a little way off Andingmenwai Street. Extending over an area of 37 hectares (91.43 acres), it was surrounded by a double square enclosure. The outer enclosure no longer stands but its west gate remains. 

The temple was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) by Emperor Jiajing and was used for rituals during the summer solstice for such things as favorable weather and good harvests.  The altar shapes are mostly square, mirroring the ancient Chinese belief that the Earth was square.  The squares also react with the heavenly circles, featured in the Temple of Heaven which it sits directly opposite to on the city's north-south axis.  The temple itself serves mainly now as a park, and is not as impressive as the Temple of Heaven, but noteworthy nonetheless.