Temple of Confucius

Introducing Temple of Confucius
Located on Guozijian Street inside Anding Gate, the Temple of Confucius in Beijing is the place where people paid homage to Confucius during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). With a long history of more then 700 years, Confucian Temple and the Imperial College unfold a picture scroll for its long history, unique architectural style, and profound cultural connotation.

Temple of Confucius Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Kongmiao 孔庙
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Chinese Culture, Confucianism
• Opening Hours: 08:30-18:00 from May to Oct.; 08:30-17:00 from Nov. to Apr.
• Entrance Fee: ¥30/person (through ticket for the temple and Guozijian Museum)
• Address: No.15 Guozijian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

What to expect at Temple of Confucius

The Temple of Confucius was initially built in 1302 and additions were made during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Confucius Temple has a total area of 22,000 square meters (5.4 acres). Confucius Temple is the second largest temple constructed for Confucius, the greatest thinker and educationalist in ancient China, ranking only behind the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong Province.

Confucius Temple consists of four courtyards. The main structures include Xianshi Gate (Gate of the First Teacher), Dacheng Gate (Gate of Great Accomplishment), Dacheng Hall (Hall of Great Accomplishment) and Chongshengci (Worship Hall). Dacheng Hall is the main building in the temple, where the memorial ceremony for Confucius was often held. Inside the Confucius Temple one can see that 198 stone tablets are positioned on either side of the front courtyard, containing 51,624 names of Jinshi (the advanced scholars) of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Also 14 stone stele pavilions of the Ming and Qing dynasties hold the precious historical information of ancient China.

In the temple, you can also find remarkable pictures like two flying dragons playing a pearl among clouds, which are believed to be used only in the imperial palaces because dragon stands for emperor in ancient China. From those, it is easy to imagine the importance of the Confucius Temple in the feudal society of China.

How to get to Temple of Confucius

By Bus
• Take bus 116, 117 and 684, and get off at Yonhegong (Lama Temple) Station.
• Take bus 104, 108, 113 and 124, and get off at Fangjia Hutong Station.

By Metro
• Take Metro Line 2 or 5 to Yonhegong (Lama Temple) Station (Exit G).

Additional travel advice on Temple of Confucius
• From November to April, the museum is closed on Monday.
• Rental service of wheelchair, baby carriage and umbrella are available at the museum.