Yuetan Park

A park in the western city surrounding the Altar of the Moon, the westernmost of the four seasonal altars where emperors made offerings, here to the moon at the autumn equinox. The historic square platform, once faced in pale stone to echo the moon, sits within grounds later developed as a public garden with a tower and terraced viewpoints. Though smaller and less visited than the great southern altar complex, it completes the imperial set of sun, moon, earth, and heaven altars. Its quiet lanes draw local residents.