Dingzhou Confucius Temple

Dingzhou Confucius Temple

Dingzhou Confucius Temple is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Dingzhou Confucius Temple was originally built in the second year of the Dazhong era of the Tang Dynasty (848 AD) by Dingzhou military governor Lu Jianqiu after demolishing the Tianyou Temple. In the second year of the Huangyou era of the Song Dynasty (1050 AD), Dingzhou military governor Han Qi expanded the halls.

During the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, prefect Pei Tai constructed the Minglun Hall. In the Wanli era, two more renovations took place, including the construction of archways and the Pan Pond. Further expansions and restorations were carried out during the Shunzhi, Kangxi, and Yongzheng reigns of the Qing Dynasty, eventually forming a large ancient architectural complex comprising three adjacent courtyards in the north (central, eastern, and western) and the Jie Xiao Shrine in the south. In 1959, the temple was converted into the Ding County Museum. In 1982, it became a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

The temple faces south and consists of three independent northern courtyards and a quadrangle-style southern courtyard housing the Jie Xiao Shrine, covering a total area of 12,666.4 square meters. Major structures include the Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Hall, Minglun Hall, and Chongsheng Shrine. The central courtyard features axial buildings such as the Lingxing Gate, Jijie Gate, and Dacheng Hall, along with auxiliary structures on the east and west sides.

The Dacheng Hall enshrines Confucius along with his Four Disciples and Twelve Philosophers, while the side halls house the Seveny-Two Sages. The eastern courtyard contains the Wenchang Pavilion and Chongsheng Shrine. The Wenchang Pavilion, also known as the "Kui Star Pavilion," is a place for worshipping Kui Xing, the deity of literary fortune. The Chongsheng Shrine serves as the ancestral temple of Confucius. The western courtyard includes the main gate, ceremonial gate, and Minglun Hall, with the latter being the site for teaching moral principles.

The Jie Xiao Shrine in the southern courtyard is dedicated to memorial plaques of notable filial and chaste figures from Dingzhou. In addition to its precious ancient architecture, the temple also preserves a large number of stone inscriptions and rare ancient books.

In May 2013, Dingzhou Confucius Temple was designated as part of the seventh batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Admission: 10 RMB per person

Visiting time: about 1 hour

Phone: 0312-2587791

Confucius (551–479 BC), whose given name was Qiu and courtesy name Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong), Changping District, the State of Lu. He was a philosopher, 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. His impact extends globally, especially across Southeast Asia, making him one of the world’s cultural icons.

Confucius’ ancestors were members of the royal family of the Yin (Shang) Dynasty. His earliest known ancestor was Weizi Qi, the half-brother of the tyrant King Zhou of Shang, who preserved the Shang ancestral sacrifices 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, Kong Jiafu, fled to the State of Lu to escape turmoil and later settled in Zou, Lu... More detailed information about Confucius ++

Further reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level