Beijing Confucius Temple

Beijing Confucius temple located on Guozijian Street of Dinganmennei is at the west-side of Yonghe Palace of Dongcheng District. Used to be the exclusive place for commemorating Confucian in the reign of Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, it is also called Xianshi Temple or Former Master Temple for Confucian was highly commended as Dacheng Zhisheng Xianshi(大成至圣先师, Supreme Master with Great Achievements).

Beijing Confucius Temple faces south and backs on north, and it covers approximately 20,000 square meters. It is constituted of four connected building complexes. Beijing Confucius Temple roundly was planned to construct in 1302 and completed in 1306. The gate remains the features of Yuan Dynasty. The thorough building of Confucius Temple is covered with yellow glazed tiles, which was forbidden used in folk communities except Confucius Temple and Forbidden City. Thus, it is the top construction level traditionally.

The whole Confucius Temple has a scientific architectural layout and strongly is characterized by its large scale and royal solemnity. Differing itself from other Confucius temples in other areas, Confucius Temple of Beijing also has its widely-renowned Forest of Steles. Frankly speaking, this forest actually is the contribution list made of stone. Learners or Royal Examinees of Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, customarily erected a stele here to mark something if they luckily succeeded in royal examinations.

Inside of Confucius Temple, there are 14 stone-made pavilions constructed in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Both the stone relics and the plants insides belong to the cultural heritage under the high-level protection.

Guozijian Street has been ranked into China’s first batch of China Ten Top Historical and Cultural Streets. This old street is closely connected with Guozijian, Confucius Temple and Pailou Building. Over long-time reconstruction and change, currently, Confucius Temple of Beijing is totally combined together with Guozijian. It serves as a real museum opening to the public.