Apricot Altar at Liuzhou Confucius Temple

Apricot Altar at Liuzhou Confucius Temple

The Apricot Altar is a structure built in commemoration of Confucius establishing his school and teaching. According to the "Zhuangzi," which records that "Confucius wandered through the forest of black curtains, rested and sat upon the Apricot Altar, while his disciples read and he played music and sang," it was constructed with "bricks for the platform, surrounded by planted apricot trees," hence the abbreviated name "Apricot Altar."

The reconstructed Apricot Altar at Liuzhou Confucius Temple features a five-tiered base, is 9.43 meters high and 8.76 meters × 8.76 meters wide, with a square floor plan that is accessible from all sides. It is adorned with Han white jade carvings of cloud heads, steel-reinforced concrete golden pillars, double-eaved green tiles, a circular upper eave, a cross-shaped second level, suspended gables on all four sides, a cross-jointed roof ridge, and a blue plaque with gold characters inscribed with “Apricot Altar” hanging under the eaves. The architectural structure is unique, appearing identical from all four sides and possessing distinctive architectural artistry.

At the center stands a bronze statue of Confucius, a gift respectfully presented by the China Confucius Foundation on May 28, 2011.