Changhua Confucius Temple

Changhua Confucius Temple

Changhua Confucius Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Changhua Confucius Temple is a Confucian temple located in Changhua, Taiwan, enshrining the Great Sage and Foremost Teacher Confucius as the main deity, along with his disciples and revered scholars and philosophers of successive dynasties. It was the most complete educational institution in the early Qing Dynasty's Taiwanese Confucian school system, and the Bai Sha Academy—one of the four great academies of Taiwan—was once located here. It was advocated for establishment in the fourth year of the Yongzheng era (1726) of the Qing Dynasty by Zhang Hao, the then magistrate of Changhua. During the Japanese colonial period, some of its buildings were demolished due to road widening, leaving only about two-thirds of the original structure. It is now a first-class historic site in Taiwan.

The current architectural layout of Changhua Confucius Temple still retains the form from its renovation in the 10th year of the Daoguang era (1830) of the Qing Dynasty. It follows a four-courtyard, three-hall design, comprising the Dacheng Gate (the main gate), Jimen (Pole Gate), Dacheng Hall, and Chongsheng Shrine. On either side of the main entrance are a pair of exquisitely carved stone drums. The pedestals of the stone drums and the door pivots behind the gate pillars are made from the same block of stone, serving to stabilize the gate posts. Like other Confucian temples, the main gate of Changhua Confucius Temple is usually kept closed, only being opened on September 28th for the Confucius Worship Ceremony. At other times, visitors may enter through the side gate on Minsheng Road.

Temple of Confucius, Changhua

Reason to visit: One of Taiwan’s most important Confucian temples

Confucius (551–479 BC), whose given name was Qiu and courtesy name Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (now southeastern Qufu, Shandong), Changping, State of Lu. He was a philosopher, 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, particularly across Southeast Asia, making him a world-renowned cultural figure.

Confucius’ ancestors were of the Wei clan; his earliest known forebear was Weizi Qi, the half-brother of King Zhou of Shang, who presided over Shang ancestral rites and was enfeoffed in the State of Song. His sixth-generation ancestor, Kong Fu Jia, was the first to adopt “Kong” as the family surname. His fifth-generation ancestor, Mu Jin Fu, fled to Lu and later settled in Zou, State of Lu... More details about Confucius++