Beijing's Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park) is a historical landmark, famous for its use as a temple by the Ming and Qing imperial dynasties. And, it's become a place for Beijing residents to receive "therapeutic treatment" by lying on a rock they believe to have "restorative powers."

A nightly ritual during the summer regularly sees scores of people come to the culturally-important site and lie upon the white marble median strip at Danbiqiao, the boulevard that stretches out in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, so that they can absorb its solar heat.

According to the Beijing Morning Report, the practitioners believe the marble rock has "physiotherapeutic abilities," claiming it can cure illnesses and strengthen their bodies.

"This is white marble, and they say that acupuncture and moxibustion aren't as good as this," one elderly man was heard in a video, adding that "Some people have been doing this for six or seven years."

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"I am 72 years old this year, my health is very good, and I still have my wits about me from being heated by this rock," explained another man.

The majority of these "rock mobsters" are older visitors, though some families are seen taking their children to enjoy the benefits of this "rock of salvation." However, some jaded Beijing residents are calling balderdash on the practice, insisting it has no scientific merit and negatively impacts upon the city's image.

Chief among these critics is the park itself. An unnamed park representative confirmed to Beijing Evening Report on Monday that the practice is still going strong among locals after 11 years.

The representative described the marble as being "just normal rock" that does not have any restorative or medical properties. "The so-called "medical properties" of Danbiqiao is completely false," said the representative. "If visitors have illnesses they want to treat, then they should go to a hospital."

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The representative wasn't afraid to call out the facts. "It's just a rock that has been heated up by the sun after a day," said the representative. "It's just that some people who suffer from leg or back pain may find it comfortable because it acts like a hot compress."

The park representative criticized the "uncivilized behavior" of the practitioners for interfering with other park visitors, warning that their actions violate the "Beijing City Park Ordinance."

However, previous warnings have had no effect. "According to regulations, it's not permissible to lie down at Danbiqiao, but it's difficult to persuade visitors from doing so," said one park security guard.

Tiantan Park is reported to have increased its patrols on Saturday, but have been largely unsuccessful in dissuading against the prevalence of "slow cooked ribs."

Elderly people seen enjoying the hot rocks explain that they aren't bothering anyone, and that they don't come out during the park's daytime peak time for tourists. "The park is a place for rest and is open to everyone," said one old man with a stone cold demeanor. "I've been doing this for over 10 years, so by what right can they say that I'm uncultured?"

The median features a slight arch to it, resembling something not unlike a speedbump as it runs down the 360-meter-long boulevard of Danbiqiao. By lying over this hump, practitioners are able to stretch out their backs, something that may possibly explain how this practice originated.

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Beijing residents are known to enjoy the free services offered by the Temple of Heaven. Earlier this year, the park was forced to install an automated dispenser with "face-scanning" technology in its public bathrooms after visitors began abusing its free toilet paper policy.

Beijingers have shown themselves to be susceptible to trends based on traditional Chinese medicine. This past January, a leading expert in Chinese traditional medicine advised the public to stay away from "anti-smog teas" after they were popularized as a way to combat the harmful effects of air pollution.

Although the "rock basking" phenomenon has appeared in other Chinese cities like Xi'an, this time we may have finally hit rock bottom when it comes to bizarre Chinese health practices. By turning a stone-made tourist landmark into a prone convalescent center, Beijing will be forever famous as the town for "bedrock," a page right out of history.

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Twitter: @Sinopath

Images: k618, Sina Blog,zol, China Youth Daily