Confucius Temple

Located in the heart of Beijing near the Lama Temple, the Beijing Confucius Temple was originally built in 1302 during the Yuan Dynasty and expanded during the Ming and Qing periods. This sacred complex served as the imperial temple where emperors would personally pay homage to Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher and educator. The temple complex covers approximately 22,000 square meters and features traditional Chinese architecture with red walls, yellow glazed tiles, and intricate wooden structures. The main hall, Dacheng Hall, is particularly impressive with its double-eaved roof and nine-bay width, a privilege reserved for imperial buildings. Within the temple grounds, youll find 198 stone tablets inscribed with the names of over 50,000 scholars who passed the imperial examinations, creating a fascinating historical record of Chinas intellectual elite. The temple also houses the Imperial Academy, where scholars studied for the civil service examinations that determined government appointments for centuries. Today, the temple stands as a peaceful oasis in bustling Beijing, offering visitors a glimpse into Chinas rich educational and philosophical traditions.