The altar was built in 1530 during the late Ming Dynasty for use in ritual sacrifice to the sun by the Emperor of China.

[1] The original Altar of the sun was a rectangular white-stone dais covered with red glaze, and four stairways (north, east, south and west) with nine steps measuring 18.3 yards (16.7 m) in width and length, and 7 feet (2.1 m) in height.

[2] Upon entering the premises, the emperors would pass through the Heavenly West Gate and along the Sacred Way that led to the sun altar.

[3] The area surrounding the Ritan temple is now a public park, and the site features extensive gardens and a small lake.

Many people visit the park in the morning to practice tai chi or other forms of physical or spiritual exercises.