The Temple of Heaven uses ecological artistic technique to give prominence to the theme of "heaven". For example, the density of structures is very small, covered by large tracts of pine and cypress trees, creating a strong atmosphere of solemnity and nobility The inner walls are not in the middle of the area enclosed by the outer walls, but rather they shift toward the east, the vertical axis of the cluster of buildings also shifts eastward for about 200 meters, thus prolonging the distance from the front gate.

This helps people feel they are removed farther from man's world and nearer and nearer to the gods. Huanqiu is crystal white, setting off the holy, Pure, empty and bright "heaven". Its two-layered enclosed walls are only a little more than one meter high before the tall, large round terrace, so as not to block the visual line. The 400-meter long and 30-meter wide Danbi Bridge, and the courtyard of Qiniandian Hall, also stand above the surrounding ground, for the same effect.

The round Qiniandian is 24 meters in diameter, its three-layered eaved pinnacle covered with green glazed tiles. Under this is a six-meter three-layered, white stone round terrace with a total height of 38 meters. The greenroofseemed to merge with the blue sky. All these are designed to create ima2erv of the close relation ship between man and heaven.

The Temple of Heaven widely uses symbolic and metaphor techniques to play up the theme. For example, in many cases, a round plane is used. Huanqiu uses the number 9 or the multiplication of 9 to symbolize "heaven". Qiniandian uses numbers related to the solar terms of agriculture.