Changle Confucian Temple

Changle Confucian Temple

Changle Confucian Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

The Ming Dynasty Wuhua Changle Confucian Temple is situated at Shizijie in Huacheng, Wuhua County. It was initially constructed in the fifth year of the Chenghua era (1469) of the Ming Dynasty by Huang Yu, the magistrate of Changle (now Wuhua), underwent renovation during the Zhengde era, and was reconstructed after a flood in the sixth year of the Tongzhi era (1867) of the Qing Dynasty. The original structure was magnificent, comprising the Lingxing Gate, screen wall, Pan Pond, Jimen, Dacheng Hall, Minglun Hall, Chongsheng Hall, Zunjing Pavilion, East and West Side Halls, and more. It was one of the largest academies in Jiaying Prefecture (now Meizhou City). After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the site underwent several renovations, with surviving structures including the Pan Pond, East and West Side Halls, and Dacheng Hall. The total area covers 5,460 square meters, with a built-up area of 2,024 square meters.

The Dacheng Hall features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, with walls constructed from blue bricks. It is 24.4 meters wide (five bays) and 20 meters deep (six bays), standing 10 meters high, with a floor area of 488 square meters. The roof is covered with yellow and peacock-blue glazed tiles, and the main ridge is adorned with a ceramic sculpture of two dragons playing with a pearl. The interior columns are octagonal stone pillars, unusually tall, resting on eight-petal Sumeru-style bases. The hall's beam structure combines both penetrating and raised beam techniques. A moon platform is set up in front of the hall, enclosed by railings and carved stone pillars. The Pan Pond is semicircular, with a stone arched bridge in the center, surrounded by carved stone slab railings and ornamental pillars.

In March 1925, during the First Eastern Expedition, the main First Regiment of the Eastern Expeditionary Army led by Zhou Enlai was stationed here, where the Wuhua Democratic Revolutionary Government was established.

In June 1989, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province designated it as a cultural relic protection unit.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units