Ritan Park.

Ritan was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worshiped the God of the Sun. It was built in the ninth year of the Jiajing period of the Ming dynasty (1530) and is square in shape. In the southeast corner of the park is Shengchun Garden, which covers an area of 10,000 square meters and has a winding pond in the middle. In the pond is a pair of stone-carved swans, one of which is a stone that sprays water upwards. On the small hill in the southeast of the garden is Qinghui Pavilion, and on the south side is Huaguo Garden. In the northwest corner is the tomb of martyr Ma Jun. Because the park is located in the embassy district, it has become a place where diplomats from various countries like to visit. The altar faces west and is a square platform made of white stone. The altar surface was made of red glazed tiles in the Ming dynasty to symbolize the sun, and was changed to square bricks in the Qing dynasty. There is a short wall around the altar, and three white stone Lingxing gates in the west. Outside the west gate are a stove and a pool. To the north are the God Storehouse, God Kitchen, Sacrificial Pavilion, Bell Tower, etc. To the south is the Dressing Hall. In the seventh year of the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty (1742), it was rebuilt in the northwest corner of the altar. Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, most of the ancient buildings were destroyed and cultural relics were stolen, turning Ritan into a ruin. In 1951, the Beijing Municipal People's Government expanded Ritan into Ritan Park, which covers an area of more than 20 hectares. The south and north gates and exhibition windows were built, as well as the Peony Garden, Qinghui Pavilion, Shengchun Garden, "Sacrifice to the Sun" mural, the ancient and elegant "Yihe Yaju," the classical southwest scenic area with beautiful mountains and rivers, the gallery, etc. The demolished altar was restored. The memorial room of the tomb of martyr Ma Jun was rebuilt, and a large amusement center was added.