Temple of Heaven Ready to Reopen

The Heavenly Vault and the Altar of Heaven are two structures, known for magnificent acoustics. And they are both ready for a grand re-opening, after four months of restoration.
Nearly 30 years after its last make-over, the Heavenly Vault has finally been restored to its original luster.
The work focused on repainting the eaves, and touching-up drawings. Experts found that updates to the drawings, done in the 1970's, took an improper diversion from history.
The curator of Temple of the Heaven Park Qu Luzheng said:"As valuable pieces of history, every detail at the temple must be maintained. Over more than 400 years since the vault was built, repair work has virtually never ceased. But everything from the structure itself, to the paintings, must remain the same. Any tiny alteration will destroy continuity."
Repairs to the Altar of Heaven were less complicated. Its three tiers of white marble floors and railings have been carefully checked for cracks.
But this restoration was done by the book, in strict accordance to convention - which meant a more painstaking effort.
The work cost 9 million yuan, more than 1 million U.S. dollars.
First built in 1520, the Heavenly Vault houses tablets for religious ceremonies. The circular brick barrier is called "The Wall of Echoes", through which one can hear another's whisper from the opposite end.
Similar in its resonance is the "microphone" effect, when one speaks before the central stone of the Altar of Heaven. As an emperor bowed to the Supreme Rulers of the Universe, such as the Sun and the Moon, he believed his voice would be heard throughout the heavens.