Ancient royal ritual to be reenacted

A performer wearing costume of an emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) acts during a rehearsal of a performance presenting the ancient royal heaven worship ceremony in the Tiantan Park (Temple of Heaven) in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 16, 2012. The Temple of Heaven, first built in 1420 and used to be the imperial sacrificial altar during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties, will hold reenaction of the ancient royal ritual for the worship of the heaven during the traditional Chinese lunar New Year, which falls on the Jan 23 this year.[Photo/Xinhua]