Beijing: Temple of Confucius & Guo Zi Jian (孔廟庙, 国子监)

If I'm taller... I imagine this is would be nicer with straight angle

"What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others."

Confucius' family and personal name was Kong Qiu (孔丘 Kǒng Qiū). He was known as Kongzi (孔子) or literally meaning Master Kong, honorific wise as Kong Fuzi (孔夫子), literally also Master Kong. Confucius is his Latinized name, derived from "Kong Fuzi".

Dismount stone

We made a separate trip to Temple of Confucius and the next door Guo Zi Jian, despite it was just a hop and a skip away from Yonghegong. Oh well, can't do much when we reached after the opening hours.

About ten metres away from the gate, one can find a dismount stone, on both east and west side. These stones mark the point where all were to dismount and walk to worship in the temple as to show respect. Entrance fee for both places was RMB 30 per person.

Temple of Confucius at Beijing is the second largest Confucian Temple in China, after the one in Confucius' hometown, Qufu.

Stone tablets with high flyers name

This temple contains stone tablets recording the names of many generations of scholars who passed the Imperial Examination.

Super tree

This is an old, old cypress tree of more than 700 years old. It was said to be planted in the Yuan Dynasty. The reason why this tree is famous compared to many other old cypress trees because it was said to have the ability to distinguish wicked courtiers from loyal ones. The story behind this goes like this. Once, Yan Song, a wicked minister in the Ming Dynasty came to offer sacrifices to Confucius on behalf of the emperor. When he passed the cypress, a high wind sprang up and a branch, driven by the wind, blew off his black gauze hat. Thus, the tree was named as Chu Jian Bai 触奸柏 (Wicked-Courtier-Distinguishing Cypress)

Ink Lake

As there is a super tree (that's my reference to the cypress tree), there's also a magic well. Oh well, it was translated as Ink Lake acording to the information signage. If you wish to be an excellent writers and calligraphers, have a sip of water from this well.

One of the main hall in this temple is this Dacheng Hall (Hall of Great Accomplishment, 大成殿).

Tablet in the hand writing of emperor Kangxi

Tablet handwriting by Lí Yuánhóng (黎元洪)

According to a very nice gentleman who worked in this Temple of Confucius, the tablet at the centre of the room is in the handwriting of Li Yuanhong. This is said to be different as compared to other Confucius temples where the middle tablet are usually one written by emperor Kangxi. The two tablets next to it was by emperor Yongzheng and emperor Qianlong respectively. This Confucius temple in Beijing displayed the tablet by emperor Kangxi outside of the hall.

After that, we stepped next door and visit an imperial university just adjacent to this Confucius temple.

Taixue Gate

Beijing Guozijian was the imperial college during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Most of the building were built during the Ming Dynasty.

The Guozijian, often translated into English as the Imperial Academy or Imperial College was the national central institute of learning in ancient Chinese dynasties. It was the highest institute of learning in ancient China. Emperors in imperial China would also frequently visit the Guozijian to read Confucian classics to students.

Glazed archway

This is the second gate, after Taixue Gate.

The main hall in Guozijian is a Biyong Hall.

A throne, armchair, screen and imperial furniture which were used by Emperor Qianlong were on exhibit. The emperor himself gave lectures from this hall. I recall reading that the students listened to the lectures from outside the hall though, am not too sure how it works. Maybe the emperor had some very powerful voice.

As Guo Zi Jian was the highest institute of learning in ancient China, one can find students express their wish to enter top universities in Confucius' temple.

I have realised that after my much long winded story, I have not include any statue or image of Confucius himself. So, here's one!

The Statue of Confucius

Side note: I wonder if I can find Japanese Strawberry Shortcake in Melbourne!