The Shady Path at the West Gate of the Temple of Heaven

Afternoon "Roast" This afternoon, Beijing's weather was outrageously hot! The temperature soared close to 40°C, and you could almost see the heat waves rolling in the air. Walking along the shady path at the West Gate of the Temple of Heaven, I instantly understood what it means to feel "several degrees cooler under the shade." The sunlight was tightly blocked by the dense branches, leaving only a few scattered rays that fell like stars onto the ground. I couldn't help but marvel, "If all visitors could see this scene, no one would complain about Beijing being too hot and exhausting!" The "Magic" of the Shady Path The shady path inside the West Gate is truly a hidden gem of the Temple of Heaven. Ancient cypress trees line both sides of the road, their towering branches weaving into a green canopy that completely shields the sky. Walking beneath it, a cool breeze flows through, making it feel like stepping into a natural air-conditioned room. I touched the tree trunks, their rough bark exuding a sense of age and history, and couldn't help but wonder, "How many emperors performing rituals have these trees witnessed?" Visitors' "Collective Reaction" As I was immersed in this cool haven, a series of exclamations broke the silence. "So beautiful!" "These trees are incredible!"... Turning around, I saw a group of tourists holding up their phones to take pictures, their faces filled with delight. One elderly lady even lay down on a bench under the shade, fanning herself and exclaiming, "This is what I call enjoyment!" I thought to myself, "Indeed, the charm of the shade is irresistible!" A Blend of Majesty and Serenity The deeper you go, the more solemn the atmosphere of the shady path becomes. The red walls and gray tiles of the Fasting Palace peek through the shadows, occasionally revealing a corner of the eaves, like a deliberate surprise left by ancient architects. From the courtyard of the Divine Music Office, faint sounds of music drifted out, as if echoing the songs and dances of rituals from centuries ago. I couldn't help but slow my steps, afraid to disturb this tranquility. Suddenly, a sparrow fluttered out from the branches, startling me before making me laugh, "Even the birds here seem so relaxed!" The "Side Effects" of Serenity As I continued walking, I realized I had completely forgotten about the scorching heat outside. The temperature under the shade was at least 5 degrees cooler, my sweat dried, and my mood inexplicably lifted. An elderly man passing by noticed my camera and kindly pointed out, "Miss, go ahead and take a picture of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests; the background with the trees and the hall looks great!" I thanked him, thinking to myself, "This shady path is not just a haven from the heat but also a natural photo frame!" Survival Wisdom in the Heat Although the shady path was cool, stepping out of the shade brought the heat rushing back. I saw several tourists darting into the shade, looking as relieved as fish diving into water. Suddenly, I recalled the weather report mentioning "persistent heat day and night, with nighttime lows close to 30°C," and felt grateful, "Thank goodness for this shade, or we'd all be roasted alive!" The Temple's "Little Trick" As I reached the Danbi Bridge and looked back at the shady path of the West Gate, I suddenly understood its clever design. The dense forest not only provides shade but also separates the noise of the outer altar, making the inner altar's solemnity even more mysterious. It's as if the ancient architects intentionally left a "cool passage" for the emperor and officials to steal a moment of comfort during rituals. Touching the scorching marble railing, I jokingly muttered, "If only this stone could be brought home as a refrigerator!" A "Time Machine" in the Shadows As the sun set, the light and shadows on the shady path began to shift. Golden beams filtered through the leaves, laying a layer of fragmented gold on the ground. Sitting on a bench, I stared blankly as the shadows gradually lengthened, suddenly realizing: the trees of the Temple of Heaven are not just scenery but witnesses of history. They have stood here for centuries, observing emperors and officials, as well as today's selfie-stick-wielding tourists. With this thought, I raised my camera and clicked, capturing this "fragment of time" into eternity.