The Ji Gate of Haizhou Confucius Temple

The Ji Gate of Haizhou Confucius Temple

The Ji Gate of Haizhou Confucius Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Lianyungang City.

The Ji Gate of Haizhou Confucius Temple is located on the campus of an elementary school on Middle Haizhou Street in Haizhou District, and currently serves as teachers' offices. The Ji Gate (also known as the Lingxing Gate) is part of the Haizhou Confucius Temple complex. It was first built in the third year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty (1370 AD), and was renovated in the twelfth year of the Chenghua reign (1476 AD) by Hou Tang, the then-prefect of Haizhou. Five bays of the Ji Gate still exist today (including two side rooms to the east of the gate), and within the eastern and western gable walls, there is one Ming Dynasty stele embedded in each. According to the Longqing-era Haizhou Annals from the Ming Dynasty, the Ji Gate at that time only had three bays, with no surrounding walls (which were added later when it was converted into offices), and no side rooms to the east or west. The current Ji Gate largely features architectural elements typical of the early Qing Dynasty. During construction at Middle Haizhou Street Elementary School, a bronze wine cup and bronze seal inscribed with the date of the 32nd year of the Kangxi reign (1693 AD) were unearthed, suggesting that the existing Ji Gate is likely a relic from the Kangxi period. Of course, it's also possible that some parts may date back to the Ming Dynasty. Haizhou Confucius Temple was historically a site where scholars offered sacrifices to Confucius and represents the highest educational institution of ancient Haizhou, holding certain historical value for the study of the city’s ancient culture and education. It was designated as one of the first batch of cultural relic protection units in Lianyungang City in 1982.