Beside the Lama Temple, the Temple of Confucius is located. It was initially built in 1302 (Yuan Dynasty) and additions were made during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has a total area of 22,000 square meters (5.4 acres). It is the second largest temple constructed for Confucius, the greatest thinker and educationalist in ancient China, ranking only behind the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong Province. Now the temple houses the Beijing Capital Museum.

 

This temple consists of four courtyards. The main structures include the Gate of the First Teacher, Gate of Great Accomplishment, Hall of Great Accomplishment and Worship Hall. Dacheng Hall is the main building in the temple, where the memorial ceremony for Confucius was often held. Inside the temple one can see that 198 stone tablets are positioned on either side of the front courtyard, containing 51,624 names of Jinshi (the advanced scholars) of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Also 14 stone stele pavilions of the Ming and Qing dynasties hold the precious historical information of ancient China.

There is a 700 years old cypress in the courtyard, Touch Evil Cypress, named after an ancient legend. In the Ming Dynasty, one day superior official Yan Song came here to worship Confucius. The Cypress’s branch took his hat off when he passed by. Since Yan Song was a treacherous court official, so people believed that the tree could distinguish the good and evil.

In the temple, you can easily find a lot of remarkable signs showing the important position of Confucius in the feudal society, such as the dragon patterns which only can be used by the emperors.

Opening hours: 08:30 – 17:00

Admission Price: RMB 10