Confucius Temple

» Nanjing, Jiang Su

Confucius Temple Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

This ancient Confucian temple (Fuzi Miao) is located in the south of the city in a pedestrian zone. This was a center of Confucian study for more than 1500 years. Fuzi Miao has been damaged and rebuilt repeatedly, what you see here today are newly restored late Qing dynasty structures or wholly new buildings reconstructed in traditional style. The main temple is behind the small square in front of the canal. The restaurants, dainty snacks bars, bustling souvenir shops make it quite alive on weekends!

A place for worshipping Confucius

Nanjing Confucius Temple is for consecrating and worshipping Confucius, the great thingker and educator of ancient China.

Used to be rebuilt

Nanjing Confucius temple was built in Song Dynasty (A.D.1034) and expanded in East Jin Dynasty. These architecture was ruined and rebuilt for several times. The Confucius Temple once was rebuilt in Qing Dynasty (A.D.1869) but was serious fired and destroyed by the Japanese aggresser troops in 1937. In order to protect the old city, the Chinese Government appropriated funds to rebuild and fix the Confucius Temple.

Why to visit

Nowadays it has re-expressed its splendid civilization to the world and has been regarded the special scenery of Nanjing. In 1991, the Confucius Temple was elected the "Forty Best Scenery Spots".

What to see

The original building expanded to be a complex building in the architectural style of the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties, including the Confucius Temple itself, the Jiangnan Gongyuan (the place of imperial examinations) and the Xue Gong (the Imperial Academy). The complex is still called the Confucius Temple out of habit by locals and visitors.

Qinhuai River

In front of the Confucius Temple, the Qinhuai River is flowing. On the south bank of the river, there is the longest screen wall in China which is 110-meter-long (about 120 yards) and piled with bricks.

The Dacheng Hall

It is 16.22 meters high (about 53 feet) and 28.1 meters (about 30 yards) wide featuring a 1.5-meter-high (about 5 feet) pedestal.

The inner hall

There are two worthwhile attractions found in the inner hall. One is the largest figure of Confucius in China. The other one is the beautiful collection of 38 vivid panels which are made by various jade, gold and silver, detailing the life of Confucius.

36 jade panels

The temple's most outstanding feature is a beautiful collection of 36 jade panels detailing the Sage's life (551 - 479 B.C.) hanging on the walls of the main hall. Based on the famous set of Ming period paintings titled "Pictures of the Sage's Traces," each panel measures about two meters in height and one meter in width. These panels, however, are new, donated by a local company in 1998.

A sight must see

Jiangnan Gongyuan

A fantastic insight into how ancient Chinese governments choose officials can be gained from visiting the Jiangnan Gongyuan. It is a sight not to be missed. The development of Gongyuan began in the Southern Song Dynasty (420 - 589), expanding into the Ming and Qing Dynasties, until in the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty.

It developed to be the biggest exanimation school in China. Founded in 1168 (the Song Dynasty), the school was used to administer the rigorous civil service exams used to choose officials during China's imperial age. At the height of its prosperity, the complex contained 20,644 examination cells, each just one square meter in area. Candidates spent a total of nine days in their cell - the wooden desk plank turned into a bed at night - without the freedom to leave. Success was rare as only 200 of the 20,000 candidates passed.

The main building of Gongyuan is the three-storied Mingyuan Tower which is surrounded by 20,644 examination cells, called 'haoshe' in Chinese.

To experience

Now, a specialized museum on the imperial civil examination system is built in Jiangnan Gongyuan. Visitors also have the opportunity to take simulated exams and experience the joys and sorrows of the candidates.

What to eat

People here boast of the rich flavors in their cuisine. A specialty is salted duck (xianshuiya), the meat is succulently tender with a crispy skin.

Where to eat

The area around the temple consists of a series of tourist shops, snack bars, restaurants and tea cafes. They all appear to be in the architectural style of the Ming and Qing style. A variety of snacks encompassing eight of the most famous flavours are available for purchase at here. Everyone's individual tastes are well catered for. They are necessary parts of food culture in Nanjing.

How to celebrate Lantern Festival

Fuzi Miao is perhaps at its best around the time of the Lantern Festival (fifteen days after the Lunar New Year), when a special exhibit of multi-sized and multi-colored lanterns themed around the twelve animals of the lunar cycle lend a festive air to the temple.

Exhibit suggest to see

The modern exhibit contains forty examination cells plus a small museum that claims to be the only specialized museum in China dedicated to the imperial examination system. Unfortunately, all the explanations are in Chinese. The exhibit is a short walk east of the Confucius Temple at 1 Jinling Lu.

Getting there

By bus

There are several ways to approach the Fuzi Miao neighborhood. From the north (Xinjiekou, Gulou), the main entrance is at the intersection of Taiping Nan Lu and Jian Kang Lu. Bus number one terminates here. From the west, enter from Zhonghua Lu (buses 2, 16, 26, 33) and then walk east along Zhanyuan Lu.

By taxi

It takes you about 10 minutes to get to "Fuzi Miao" by taxi.

Attractions around » Nanjing, Jiang Su

Natural Scene

• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Qinhuai River

Historical Site

• Ming Xiaoling Tomb
• Confucius Temple
• Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Tomb
• Presidential Palace
• Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery
• Linggu Temple
• Zhonghua Gate

Cultural Site

• Memorial Hall to the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre
• Nanjing Museum
• Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

Confucius Temple Highlights

Confucius attraction highlights

• Kong Family Mansion
• Confucius Temple
• Confucius Cemetery
• Confucius Temple
• Gaomiao Temple at Zhongwei

Temple & Monastery in Great China

• Shaolin Temple
• Temple of Heaven
• Jokhang Temple
• Confucius Temple
• A-Ma Temple
• Palkhor Monastery
• Sera Temple
• Drepung Temple
• Rongbuk Temple
• Songzanlin Temple
• Id Kah Mosque
• Lingyin Temple
• Labrang Temple
• Great Buddha at Lingshan
• Golden Temple
• Yuantong Temple
• Tashilhunpo Temple
• Sakya Temple
• Temple of Universal Peace
• Putuo Zongcheng Temple
• Eight Outer Temples
• Famen Temple
• Great Mosque
• Nanputuo Temple
• Jade Buddha Temple
• Town God Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Lama Temple
• White Cloud Temple
• Tar Temple
• Santa Sophia Church
• 108 Dagobas
• Memorial Temple of Lord Bao
• White Horse Temple
• Qiongzhu Temple
• Hanging Temple
• Hanshan Temple
• Gaomiao Temple at Zhongwei
• Giant Buddha Temple
• Xiangguo Temple
• Yufeng Lamastery
• Chongshansi Temple
• Dule Temple
• Anyuan Temple
• White Horse Pagoda
• Trandruk Temple
• Dai Temple
• Pagoda of Songyue Temple
• Ramoche Temple
• Guanlin Temple
• Huayan Temple
• Kaiyuan Temple
• Samye Temple
• Jinci Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Ganden Temple
• Dabeiyuan Temple
• Wuhou Memorial Temple
• Shanhua Temple
• Ruins of St. Paul's
• Temple of Universal Happiness
• Great Bell Temple
• Qingjing Mosque
• Hongfu Temple
• Dazhao Temple
• Five Pagoda Temple
• Baoguo Temple
• Wudangzhao Temple
• Shalu Temple
• Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center
• Longhua Temple
• Jile Temple
• Chengtiansi Pagoda
• Nanguan Muslim Mosque
• Qingyanggong Temple
• Ba Xian An Temple
• Tianhou Palace
• Guiyuan Temple
• Linggu Temple
• Najiahu Mosque at Yongning
• Haibao Pagoda
• Xilitu Zhao
• Dongguan Mosque
• Jiegu Temple

Confucius Temple FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When to go

  Shopping

1. Where to exchange money?

  Customs

1. What are some interesting festivals?

  Other Hints

1. Health and Security
2. Useful numbers

• When to go

  Known as one of the three hottest cities in China, Nanjing's scorching summer period is to be avoided.

  The short and comfortable autumn time from October to mid-November is the best travel period for the city.

  Unlike other southern cities in China, in December, it sometimes snows in the city. If fortunately, you will have an opportunity to appreciate the enthralling white snow world of Nanjing. In the coldest month - January, the temperature could be as low as -7C (19F).

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• What are some interesting festivals?

  Jinling Lanterns Fair
  It was said that the first lantern fair was held in this region in the reign of Hong Wu in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), when Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a spring lantern fair to be held to celebrate both the coming new year and prosperity of the country. This tradition was passed down from generation to generation and reached its height in the Ming and Qing periods. Each year from the first day of the lunar January the lantern fair celebration is held in the area surrounding Fuzimiao.
  Period: 1st, Jan - 15th, Jan depending on lunar calendar

  Nanjing Int'l Plum Festival (Plum Hill)
  In the early spring between February and March, Nanjing International Plum Festival opens as the first ceremonial tourist event of the year. The meeting place is chosen on Plum Hill. Reputed as the First Plum Hill under Heaven, it is one of the eight plum appreciation sights having the most variety, longest history and being the largest in the country. Because the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year always falls in this period, spectacular celebrations of blossom appreciation, show performances, cultural exhibitions and bazaar shopping are be held.
  Period: Feb. - Mar. (the one in 2005 began on Feb. 10th and ended on Mar. 15th)

  Cherry Blossom Festival
  In late March, Xuanwu Park becomes a sea of cherry blossom and photography lovers and tourists throng to see the charming scenery.

  Yuhuashi (Rain Flower Pebbles) Art Festival
  Yuhuashi, a kind of rain-flower pattern agate, is a very popular tourist souvenir. Each year in September, an art and cultural festival is held in Yuhuatai (Rain Flower Terrace) Scenic Area. Exhibition of precious agate stones and performances will be presented.
  Period: September

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• Where to exchange money?

  You can exchange money at Lu Kou International Airport, branch offices of the Bank of China at Zhongshan Donglu, just east of Xinjiekou traffic circle and most hotels in the city.

  Rates at hotels may be a little higher than those in the Bank of China. Some hotels only exchange currency for their own guests.

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• Health and Security

  The health and security of the guests coming to Nanjing is a prime concern among the authorities.

  There are adequate number of police stations where the guests report to in case they face any kind of a problem.

  There are also many hospitals in Nanjing where the tourists can go in case any emergency arises.

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• Useful numbers

  Tourist Hotline: 5261179
  Ambulance: 120, 7213460
  Emergencies: 110 (foreigner's section 552729)
  Fire: 119
  Tel No. Enquiry: 114
  Police: 110
  Foreign Affairs Office of Police: 7216795

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