Shiqian Prefecture Confucius Temple

Shiqian Prefecture Confucius Temple

The Shiqian Prefecture Confucius Temple is a national key cultural relic protection unit.

The Shiqian Prefecture Confucius Temple is a key cultural relic protection unit of Guizhou Province, located on Yuecheng Road in the southeast of Shiqian County. Originally built in the 11th year of the Yongle reign (1413) during the Ming Dynasty by then-prefect Li Jian, it is called the “Prefecture Confucius Temple” because it was constructed in the same year that Shiqian was established as a prefecture. In the 11th year of the Yongle reign, the establishment of Shiqian Prefecture ended the centuries-long native chieftain system and replaced it with the system of appointed officials—this “replacement of native rule with appointed governance” signified civilization and progress. It enabled widespread dissemination of Han Chinese culture in ethnic minority regions. One of the first tasks of newly appointed county officials was to build a Confucius Temple to promote Confucian ideology.

The Confucius Temple, also known as the Academy, was an ancient institution for training feudal examination candidates. Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty honored Confucius and promoted Confucianism, successive dynasties upheld Confucius as a model for all time, emphasized Confucian teachings to govern the realm, and mandated the construction of academies in counties for worship and veneration by scholars and officials. Therefore, throughout history, officials regarded the construction and maintenance of academies as a symbol of valuing education. The Shiqian Prefecture Confucius Temple has survived wars and undergone multiple renovations. By the 51st year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty (1786), after renovations by Prefect Dong Chun, the temple’s layout was finalized, covering an area of about 3,000 square meters. The entire temple complex faces west and is built along an east-west axis, divided into three courtyards with gradually ascending foundations. From west to east and top to bottom, it includes the temple wall, the Pan Pond, the Number One Scholar Bridge, the Lingxing Gate, the Dacheng Gate, side halls, the Imperial Terrace, the Dacheng Hall, as well as the Chongsheng Shrine and the Examination Shed. In the early years after liberation, the Pan Pond, Number One Scholar Bridge, Lingxing Gate, Chongsheng Shrine, and Examination Shed were destroyed.

At the center of the temple is the Dacheng Hall, featuring a red stairway. On both sides of the stairway are steps leading down to the Imperial Terrace, which bears two large stone reliefs—one depicting “Two Dragons Fighting Over a Pearl” and the other “A Carp Leaping Through the Dragon Gate.” Flanking the terrace are three-room side halls on both the east and west sides. In front lies the five-room Dacheng Gate, the two side rooms of which were originally changing rooms for civil and military officials, with the left dedicated to the Worship of Notable Ministers and the right to the Worship of Local Sages. Outside the Dacheng Gate stand two ancient osmanthus trees, providing dense shade all year round, blooming yellow and white in August, filling the courtyard with fragrance. Slightly further down stands the Lingxing Gate, flanked by the Pan Pond and Number One Scholar Bridge. In front of the pond are gates labeled “Gate of Rites” and “Path of Righteousness,” with horse-dismounting plaques on either side. Behind the Dacheng Hall is the Chongsheng Shrine, enclosed by a red wall. The temple foundation measures 26 zhang and 5 chi in length and 7 zhang and 8 chi in width. In the 34th year of the Guangxu reign (1908), a girls’ school was established on the left side of the temple within the Confucian school office. In the first year of the Xuantong reign (1909), a “Reading Room” was set up, housing 2,406 volumes of classics, histories, philosophies, and collected works donated by Prefect Zhao Erxun during the Guangxu reign. By the 8th year of the Republic of China (1919), 25 additional volumes such as “Ciyuan” were added but later gradually lost. In the 12th year of the Republic of China (1923), a women’s sericulture room was established here. In the 31st year (1942), Shiqian Tangshan Town Second Primary School moved in from Xiushun Alley, converting all areas except the Dacheng Hall into classrooms and offices. After liberation, the Shiqian County Committee of the Communist Party of China used the site, turning the Dacheng Hall into a meeting hall. In 1964, it was repurposed as a wartime salt storage facility, and the flying eaves, hanging bells, and roof sculptures were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. In 1982, the County People’s Congress building was constructed between the Lingxing Gate and the Pan Pond. To this day, the remaining structures of the Confucius Temple include the Dacheng Hall, the main frameworks of the Worship of Local Sages and Notable Ministers, two large stone reliefs, and one “Academy Student Code” stele. Shiqian’s unique historical background, the architectural value of the Prefecture Confucius Temple, and its well-preserved condition have earned high praise from cultural relic experts across the province and beyond. In May 1984, the Shiqian County People’s Government designated the Shiqian Prefecture Confucius Temple as a county-level key cultural relic protection unit, and in November 1999, it was listed as a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit by the provincial government.

The Shiqian County Party Committee and County Government place great emphasis on cultural relic preservation. As early as May 1984, the County People’s Government listed the Prefecture Confucius Temple as a county-level key cultural relic protection unit. In November 1999, it was designated as a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit by the provincial government. In 2002, the Shiqian County Party Committee and County Government raised over 400,000 yuan to restore the Pan Pond and Number One Scholar Bridge, which had been damaged in the early years after liberation. The restoration project also refurbished the painted surfaces of the Prefecture Confucius Temple complex, highlighting its classic, timeless charm even more vividly.

Today, the Shiqian Prefecture Confucius Temple has become a popular destination for sightseeing and leisure. During the day, visitors can admire the ancient architectural craftsmanship, pay homage to Confucius, and view exhibitions on Shiqian’s development achievements. At night, one can sit in the courtyard of the stone complex, enjoy tea, listen to music, admire the moon, and savor the fragrance of osmanthus in the tranquil surroundings.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relic Protection Units