Jianshui Xuezheng Kaopeng

Jianshui Xuezheng Kaopeng

Jianshui Xuezheng Kaopeng is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Jianshui Xuezheng Kaopeng, also known as the Provincial Education Commissioner's Examination Hall, was the venue where the highest education official in Yunnan Province, the Provincial Education Commissioner, would periodically gather students from four prefectures in southern Yunnan — Lin'an, Yuanjiang, Kaihua (now Wenshan), and Pu'er (now Simao region) — to conduct the Prefectural Examinations. Its original site during the Ming Dynasty was located northwest of the prefectural city, it was moved to the southeast corner of the city during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, and relocated to its current site during the Guangxu era.

The examination hall faces south and is over 40 meters wide and 150 meters deep, covering an area of 6,000 square meters. The buildings are neatly arranged and symmetrical, totaling over a hundred rooms. The entire complex is structured along a central axis corridor, forming six courtyards. The first courtyard includes the Drum Pavilion and the Gate; the second courtyard features the Dragon Gate; the third courtyard houses the East and West Examination Halls; the fourth courtyard contains the Zhigong Hall; the fifth courtyard has the Jieshen Hall; and the sixth courtyard is the Office of the Imperially Appointed Provincial Education Commissioner. The existing structures are well-preserved and serve as an outstanding physical relic for studying the ancient imperial examination system in southwestern China. In 1993, it was designated as part of the fourth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the Provincial Level by the People's Government of Yunnan Province.

The Prefectural Examinations held at Jianshui Xuezheng Kaopeng were preliminary tests before the imperial examinations. Those who passed the Prefectural Examinations were granted favorable status and could embark on the path of national scholarly selection. Afterward, by passing the Provincial Examination to become a Juren (recommended man), then the Metropolitan Examination and Palace Examination to become a Jinshi (presented scholar), one could be appointed as an official, realizing the dream of “rising from a farmer to a court official in a single day.”

The restored Jianshui Xuezheng Kaopeng, preserving its original appearance, has been arranged with elements related to ancient imperial examinations and offers immersive activities such as “Rushing to the Exam in Lin’an” and “Flower-Crowning Ceremony,” allowing visitors to revisit history and experience the profound cultural heritage of Jianshui.

On October 7, 2019, Xuezheng Kaopeng was included in the eighth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Scenic Area Address: No. 134, Lin’an Road, Jianshui County, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province

Visitor Center: (0873) 7655136

Ticketing Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:50 PM

Ticket Price: 30 RMB per person (includes access to Xuezheng Kaopeng (Tianjun Temple, Baiyi Tower, Zhuge Temple scenic areas). Interactive activity “Rushing to the Exam in Lin’an” within Xuezheng Kaopeng is an additional paid experience, requiring a separate fee per person)

Information Source: China Honghe Tourism Website

Further Reading:

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