Nanjing Luhe Confucius Temple

Nanjing Luhe Confucius Temple

The Nanjing Luhe Confucius Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The Nanjing Luhe Confucius Temple was first built during the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty. It is the most well-preserved ancient architectural complex in the northern part of Nanjing and is a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit, covering an area of 8,000 square meters, and ranks as the fifth largest of its kind in China.

The Luhe Confucius Temple, also known as the Xuegong, has experienced various cycles of establishment and decline throughout different dynasties. In the eighth year of the Xianfeng reign (1858), the temple was destroyed, and in the ninth year of the Tongzhi reign (1870), it was rebuilt on the original site. The main structure of the Confucius Temple is the Dacheng Hall, and other ancient buildings include the Kuixing Pavilion, screen wall, Pan Pond, Lingling Gate, Jimen (Pole Gate), east and west side halls, Chongsheng Hall, and Minglun Hall, covering a total area of 8,000 square meters. On April 19, 1995, it was announced by the People’s Government of Jiangsu Province as part of the fourth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units in Jiangsu. The entire Confucius Temple architectural complex shines with artistic brilliance due to its unique building structures and carving artistry. Over the centuries, the main buildings of the temple — the Dacheng Hall, Kuixing Pavilion, and the Wanshou Palace to the north, together with the ancient city wall — have become symbols of the old Luhe city in people's minds.

Among the 22 known Confucius Temples, Wenmiao (Temples of Literature), and Fuzimiao (Temples of Confucius) distributed across the country, except for the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong (built in 478 BC) and the Wenmiao in Pingxiang, Jiangxi (built between 618–626), all other Confucius Temples were built after the Luhe Confucius Temple, and its scale ranks fifth. Currently, the Confucius Temple serves as the site of the district experimental primary school. The Luhe District government has decided to relocate the primary school from the temple premises. After comprehensive renovation, it will be open for public visitation and admiration.

Confucius (551–479 BC), whose given name was Qiu and courtesy name Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi, Changping, in the State of Lu (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong). He was a thinker, educator, and statesman in the late Spring and Autumn Period, the founder of Confucianism, and one of the most influential figures in Chinese history and culture. He also had a significant impact worldwide, especially in Southeast Asian countries, and is recognized as one of the world’s cultural icons.

Confucius’ ancestors were the younger half-brother of King Zhou of Shang, Weizi Qi, who upheld the Shang lineage and was enfeoffed in the State of Song. His sixth-generation ancestor, Kong Fu Jia, was the first to adopt the surname Kong. His fifth-generation ancestor, Mukin Fu, fled to the State of Lu to escape turmoil and later settled in Zou, State of Lu... More detailed information about Confucius++

Guanchu Community: Located southwest of Xiongzhou Subdistrict, north of the Chuhe River, south of Changjiang Road, west of Shizijie, and east of Zhaobinghe, the community covers an area of 1.16 square kilometers, has 2,123 households, and a total of 5,548 residents. The area features ancient architectural complexes from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including the Confucius Temple and Kuixing Pavilion, as well as the ruins of the Chenghuang Temple... More detailed information about Guanchu Community++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units