Meicheng Confucius Temple and Martial Temple

Meicheng Confucius Temple and Martial Temple

Meicheng Confucius Temple and Martial Temple is a protected cultural heritage site of Hunan Province.

Meicheng Confucius Temple and Martial Temple

Dating back to the Qing Dynasty, this site is located in Meicheng Town, Anhua County, Hunan Province. It is one of the more well-preserved large ancient architectural complexes in the province.

In the 12th year of the Qianlong reign (1748), local resident Deng Tianren and others rebuilt the Confucius Temple and added structures such as the Minglun Hall and examination shed. In the 8th year of the Jiaqing reign (1803), the Chongwen Academy was established inside the Confucius Temple and later converted into a school in the late Qing Dynasty. In the 21st year of the Daoguang reign (1841), Magistrate Rao Qian and others relocated the Martial Temple to its current site.

The Confucius Temple covers an area of 3,100 square meters and consists of a Pan Pond, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Chongsheng Shrine, and north and south wing rooms. At the center of the screen wall are two stone carvings: “Yingzhou” and “Dragon Gate.” The Pan Pond is 23.7 meters long and 11 meters wide. The Lingxing Gate is flanked by 90-centimeter-tall stone lions. The Dacheng Gate has seven bays and a roof covered with small green tiles. In front is a courtyard paved with bluestone, flanked by wing rooms. The Dacheng Hall is 10.6 meters high, 20.2 meters wide, and 14.5 meters deep, covering an area of 260 square meters. It is topped with a three-star precious bead finial, glazed tiles, and upturned eaves adorned with carvings of birds and beasts, while dragons on the roof corners appear to hold the ridges in their mouths. The roof structure features a combination of through-tenon beams and bluestone column bases with carved reliefs. The roofing has a unique waterproof design: small green tiles are laid first, then large iron tiles, and finally glazed tubular tiles on top. The hall displays plaques awarded in the 22nd year of the Kangxi reign, including the “Model Teacher for All Ages,” and at the rear is the Chongsheng Shrine.

The Martial Temple has a construction area of 1,338 square meters. Stone drums and crouching lions flank the main gate. Ascending the steps, visitors find exquisitely carved lattice windows on both sides, rich in antique charm. The main hall is 6.5 meters high, grand in scale, with a blue-glazed tile roof. The interior is spacious and imposing.

The ancient architectural complex of the Confucius and Martial Temples is a crystallization of the wisdom of ancient laborers and also serves as material evidence for the study of Qing Dynasty architectural art.

On May 19, 2002, the People's Government of Hunan Province designated it as a provincial-level cultural heritage site, with reference number 95-54.

Source: Overview of Cultural Relics in Hunan

Further Reading:

· Tenth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Sites in Hunan