Tourists gather outside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, part of the Temple of Heaven complex built during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The hall was used by emperors of the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties to offer sacrifices to heaven and to pray for abundant crops of grain.

(Text adapted from and photograph shot on assignment for, but not published in, "Heart of the Celestial Empire," September/October 1998, National Geographic Traveler magazine)