The Temple of Heaven in Beijing was completed in 1420 under the Ming dynasty Emperor Yongle. This complex of religious buildings, including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, was used by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies to pray for good harvests. The temple is a masterpiece of Chinese architecture and a symbol of the Confucian cosmic order.

The Temple of Heaven appears in Chinese poetry and official inscriptions from the Ming and Qing periods, often associated with the emperor's ritual role as the Son of Heaven. In modern Chinese literature, the temple has been invoked by poets as a symbol of China's imperial past and its cultural heritage, and its circular architecture and cosmic symbolism have inspired poets reflecting on the relationship between heaven, earth, and human society.