Beijing Gongyuan (Imperial Examination Hall)

Beijing Gongyuan

A Gongyuan was an examination hall for the imperial civil service exams, the place where scholars were selected through rigorous testing. The term "gong" means recommending talents selected through examinations to serve the emperor or the state. The earliest Gongyuans date back to the Tang Dynasty. Existing ruins include the Jiangnan Gongyuan, Beijing Gongyuan, Dingzhou Gongyuan, and Chuanbei Dao Gongyuan. Among them, the Jiangnan Gongyuan is the most renowned as the largest imperial examination site in ancient China.

Gongyuan

On the north side of Jianguomennei Avenue stands the building of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Nearby hutongs are also named “Gongyuan East Street,” “Gongyuan West Street,” as well as Gongyuan First Alley, Second Alley, Third Alley, and so on. This area was once the location of Beijing’s ancient examination hall—the Gongyuan.

Location

Gongyuan West Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Source: Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development