The Altar of the God of Agriculture sits west of Beijing Central Axis in symmetry to the Temple of Heaven on the east. This layout highlights the respect for and emphasis on rituals and order in Chinese capital city planning.

As the largest existing ancient Chinese venue for imperial sacrificial ceremonies in honor of the God of Agriculture, the altar also reveals how traditional Chinese society showed respect for its agrarian culture. It is thus a carrier of the ceremonial traditions of the Ming and Qing dynasties that offered sacrifices to the God of Agriculture.