Beijing Vacation - Confucius Temple

Confucius is 1 of histories finest philosophers and teachers and in the identical league as famed western philosophers these kinds of as Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras and Socrates.

Born in 551BC, Confucius is China&#39s most critical philosopher and educator. The morals and ideas of his philosophy are an integral section of values ​​and ideology of present day Chinese modern society. He has been reflected by the popular persons, emperors and leaders alike for thousands of a long time and a range of temples have been developed all about China in his identify.

The Confucian Temple in Beijing is the 2nd greatest Confucian temple in the entire world and only surpassed by a much larger temple in Qufu, the home town of Confucius. Found in close proximity to the centre of Beijing, the Confucius Temple supplies a marvellous perception into the entire world of Confucius and its impact on present day China.

Heritage

Building on the temple commenced in 1302, the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Dade of the Yuan Dynasty and was concluded in 1306. The temple was enlarged, restored and rebuilt all through the Ming Dynasty and yet again all through the Ming Dynasty.

Grounds and Layout

The grounds of the Confucius Temple deal with 22,000 square meters and are a made up of a number of courtyards and buildings laid out on a central axis. The major buildings on the central axies are the Xian Shi Gate, Da Cheng Gate, Da Cheng Corridor and Chong Sheng Memorial Temple. There are also two rows of lesser buildings on the still left and suitable aspect of the grounds.

Xian Shi Gate (Gate of the Learn) – This gate properties the ticket office and the stability checkpoint that tourist go by to enter the temple.

Da Cheng Gate (Gate of Terrific Achievement) – This gate is also referred to as the Halberd Gate simply because 24 of the ancient Halberd weapons that are exhibited inside of.

Da Cheng Corridor (Corridor of Terrific Achievement) – The major setting up in the temple and it is in this setting up that Confucius was enshrined and worshiped by China&#39s Emperors.

Chong Sheng Memorial Temple – This hall was not developed until eventually 1531 all through the reign of Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty. The hall was applied for giving sacrifices to 5 generations of Confucius&#39s ancestors. The Confucius Temple performances are provided on the steps of this temple.

Heritage of Confucius Display Room – This is a lengthy narrow setting up on the suitable aspect of the 2nd courtyard. The area displays comprehensive information on the lifestyle and historical past of Confucius, his household, his achievements and his again floor. I located a display screen of his household tree incredibly exciting simply because it only demonstrates male descendants. This straightforward omission suggests a great deal about Confucian philosophy and values.

Progress of Confucianism Display Room – On the still left hand aspect of the 2nd courtyard is a area displaying information on the development and point out of Confucianism in China and close to the entire world in past and current moments. There is a great deal of information on the significance in the present day entire world of the values ​​and thoughts taught by Confucius.

There had been a number of congratulatory references to compliments and praise made by Nobel Prize winners to Confucianism. Pretty ironic looking at the existing status the 2011 Nobel Peace rate winner has in China.

I observed at least a few elementary university teams in the Confucius Temple when I was there and about listened to 1 instructor lecturing his pupils on the values ​​of Confucius in their studies. The Chinese education system obviously areas a great deal of emphasis on a 2,500 year previous philosophy and its teachings.

Classical Chinese Audio Home – This is a little setting up to the still left of Da Cheng Corridor that has been transformed to a store offering food, ornaments and jade home furnishings. I located a lovely jade desk and chairs in the store that would have been great to choose again home.

Jin Shi Stone Tablets – Jin Shi is a identify for students who effectively handed the assessment system in Imperial China. The exams had been a prerequisite for operate in the government&#39s vast paperwork and passing these examinations was deemed a great honor and accomplishment.

198 stone tablets have been recognized at the front and rear of the temple&#39s entrance courtyard that list assessment outcomes of fifty one,624 Jin Shi from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Interestingly this assessment and range method ongoing until eventually 1905.

Stone Stele Pavilions – fourteen pavilions have been developed in the temple&#39s to start with and 2nd courtyards that residence stone steles (tablets) recording historic information on ancient China. Some illustrations of these information are the thriving suppression of a riot in Qinghai in 1725 and the completion of a renovation in the Confucius Temple in 1769.

Performances

Performances are usually held in the front of the Chong Cheng Memorial Temple that past for close to twenty minutes. I&#39m not confident what marriage if any the performances have with the teachings or lifestyle of Confucius but they are snug to watch and the time period costumes are incredibly adorable.

Compared with most journey spots in Beijing, the performances are not revealed at common moments to all travelers. The performances are only held for huge tour teams who obtain VIP tickets to the Confucius Temple. If you are eager on observing a efficiency, I advise you discretely tag lengthy with a huge tour group when they enter the Chong Cheng Memorial Corridor. This is how I accidently crashed a efficiency.

Obtaining There

Get the subway to Yonghegong station which is at the intersection of subway lines 5 and lines 2. Leave the station applying the C exit, flip still left and walk a number of hundred meters. You will know if you have absent to significantly if you arrive at the entrance of Lama Temple.

Following a number of hundred meters you will see a street on the suitable referred to as Guozijian road. Go down that street and the temple will be on the suitable had aspect. If you have problems acquiring the temple, check with a regional exactly where the “kong miao” is. You will have no difficulty acquiring persons who will position you in the suitable route.

Tickets and Moments

The tickets are 30rmb each and the opening moments are eight:thirty to six:00 pm with no tickets offered after 5:thirty pm.

Supply by Brendon Lang