Nanzhao Confucius Temple

Nanzhao Confucius Temple

Nanzhao Confucius Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Nanzhao Confucius Temple

Nanzhao Confucius Temple (Fourth Batch of Provincial-level Protected Sites)

Era: Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasties

Address: Nanzhao Village, Pingcheng Town, Lingchuan County

Nanzhao Confucius Temple is located in the center of Nanzhao Village, Pingcheng Town, Lingchuan County. It faces south and has a single-courtyard layout. The temple measures 38.5 meters from north to south and 23.3 meters from east to west, covering an area of 897 square meters. The exact date of its initial construction is unknown. According to historical records, it was repaired in the 22nd year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1389), the 16th year of the Wanli reign (1590), during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, and from the 14th to the 18th year of the Guangxu reign (1888–1892). Based on its current condition, the main hall is believed to be a remnant of the Yuan Dynasty, while the other structures exhibit architectural styles from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The temple currently preserves a mountain gate (dance tower), the main hall, as well as side structures including a screen wall, dressing tower, viewing tower, and side halls. The main hall has five bays in width and six rafters in depth, with a single-eave hanging gable roof covered in tubular tiles. Under the eaves, the bracket sets form layers of bracket arms, supporting the projecting roof eaves. The main hall structure retains features from the late Yuan Dynasty. The front porch is adorned with delicate wooden carvings, and the base of the hall is built with layered stone slabs. On both sides, there are east and west viewing towers, each five bays wide, and two side halls, each two bays wide. There are three inscribed stelae preserved within the temple.

The architectural layout of Nanzhao Confucius Temple is relatively well-preserved. The main hall clearly exhibits architectural characteristics of the Yuan Dynasty, and the temple houses exquisite wood carvings, giving it significant historical value.

In May 2013, Nanzhao Confucius Temple was designated as part of the Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Confucius (551–479 BC), also known as Qiu and with the courtesy name Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong Province), Changping, the State of Lu. 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. His impact extends globally, especially in Southeast Asian countries, making him one of the world’s cultural icons.

Confucius’s ancestors were descendants of Weizi Qi, the half-brother of King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty. Weizi Qi upheld the rites of the Shang 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:

· Seventh Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Fourth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units