Architecture of Confucius Temple

Covering a total area of 22,000 square meters, the Temple of Confucius makes up four courtyards. The principal structures included Xianshimen (Gate of Ancient Teacher), Dachengmen (Gate of Great Accomplishment), Dachengdian (Hall of Great Accomplishement), Chongshenci (Worship Hall), The eastern part of the front courtyard is taken up by the Pavilions for stone Tablets, the Holy Kitchen, the pavilion for Sacrificial Animals and the Well Pavilion; in the west, there are more pavilions for Stone Tablets, the hall of Vegetarian Diet and the Gate of Reverence which opens onto Guozijian (Imperial Academy). One either side of the courtyard, are arranged 198 stone tablets bearing 51,624 names of Advanced scholars of the Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasties who passed the triennial imperial examinations. Inside the Gate of Great Accomplishnent are placed ten stone drums which were made on ancient models 1736 to 1795 of the Qing Dynasty and erected two tablets associated with event.

It was the Hall of Great Accomplishement where Confucius was worshipped. The stately, grand hall with its double eaves is flanked by the east and west wings. The east wing now houses an exhibition of the history of Beijing.

In the compound of the temple, there are fourteen other pavilions for Stone Tables of the Ming and Qing dynasties where inscriptions of great historical value are carved.

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