Temple of Confucius, Changhua

　　The Temple of Confucius in Changhua is a Confucian temple situated in Changhua, Taiwan. It is dedicated to Confucius, the Great Sage and Foremost Teacher, and also honors his disciples and esteemed scholars from different eras. It was the most complete educational institution in Taiwan during the early Qing Dynasty in terms of the traditional Confucian academy system. The historic Bai Sha Academy, one of the Four Great Academies of Taiwan, was once located here. Established in the fourth year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing Dynasty (1726) under the advocacy of then-Changhua County Magistrate Zhang Hao, parts of the temple were demolished during the Japanese colonial period to widen roads. Today, only about two-thirds of the original structures remain, making it a first-class historical site in Taiwan.

　　The current architectural layout of the Temple of Confucius in Changhua still reflects its restoration in the 10th year of the Daoguang era (1830), featuring a traditional four-courtyard, three-section design. These sections include the Dacheng Gate (the main entrance), the Jimen (Pole Gate), the Dacheng Hall, and the Chongsheng Shrine. At the entrance, there is a pair of exquisitely carved stone drums flanking the gate. The bases of these drums and the door sockets behind the pillars are made from a single piece of stone, serving to stabilize the gate structure. Like most Confucian temples, the main gate of the Changhua Temple of Confucius remains closed except on September 28th, the annual Confucius Worship Ceremony. Visitors can enter through the side gate on Minsheng Road at other times.

　　Temple of Confucius, Changhua Recommended reason: One of Taiwan’s most important Confucian temples

　　Confucius (551 BC~479 BC)　　 Confucius (551–479 BC), also known as Kong Qiu or Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong Province), in the 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, especially across Southeast Asia, making him a renowned cultural figure worldwide.  Confucius’ ancestors included Weizi Qi, the half-brother of the tyrannical King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty. Weizi Qi preserved the rites of the Shang and was enfeoffed in the State of Song. His sixth-generation descendant, Kong Fu Jia, was the first to adopt the surname “Kong.” Kong Fu Jia’s fifth-generation descendant, Mu Jin Fu, fled to the State of Lu and eventually settled in Zouyi. His father, Shu Liang He, was a renowned warrior in Lu, celebrated for his bravery and strength among the feudal lords. In his later years... More+