The main attraction within the Workers' Cultural Palace is the monumental Sacrificial Hall, as exquisite as any temple you'll find in Beijing. Built in 1420, it was used by Ming and Qing dynasty emperors to pray before the wooden spirit tablets of their ancestors. The hall now hosts temporary cultural exhibitions, but the awesome scale and artistry of the interior is reason alone to pay the entry fee.

Note how the plaque above the Sacrificial Hall is inscribed in both Chinese and Manchu, the language of the Qing.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Middle Hall

0.04 MILES

Known locally as the Resting Hall, this imperial building has a yellow-glazed eave-hipped roof. Closed for visitors.

2. Rear Hall

0.06 MILES

One of the main halls within the Workers' Cultural Palace, but closed to visitors. It was used to store the spirit tablets of imperial ancestors in its…

3. Workers' Cultural Palace

0.1 MILES

One of Beijing's best-kept secrets – despite being next to the Gate of Heavenly Peace – the Workers' Cultural Palace was gifted to the masses by Mao in…

4. Duan Gate

0.15 MILES

Sandwiched between the Gate of Heavenly Peace and Meridian Gate, Duan Gate (Gate of Uprightness) was stripped of its treasures by foreign forces quelling…

5. Meridian Gate

0.21 MILES

This mighty edifice is the Forbidden City's front door, where all visitors to the Palace Museum pass through. During imperial times, the central channel,…

6. Gate of Heavenly Peace

0.23 MILES

Instantly recognisable by its giant framed portrait of Mao, and guarded by two pairs of Ming dynasty stone lions, the double-eaved Gate of Heavenly Peace …

7. East Prosperity Gate

0.26 MILES

The east gate of the Forbidden City, through which you can exit but not enter. Inside are exhibitions belonging to the Gallery of Historic Architecture.

8. Altar of Land and Grain

0.27 MILES

This square, open-air altar (tán) was where the emperor would come to pray and give offerings to the gods of land and grain in return for favourable…