Leizhou Confucius Temple

　　Leizhou Confucius Temple, originally the Haikang County Confucius Temple, also known as Dongsheng Palace, was established in the third year of the Yuanshun era (1332) during the Yuan Dynasty, built by the county education officer Ling Guangqian. Before the Song Dynasty, “students from Haikang studied at the Wenming Academy in Suixi, while those with scholarly aspirations were affiliated with the prefectural school.” The original site was located at Ying’en Fang in Leicheng. It was later relocated three times. In the fourteenth year of the Chenghua era (1479), it was moved to the west of the prefectural school. In the ninth year of the Hongzhi era (1497), it was relocated back to the original site, and in the seventeenth year (1505), it was moved to its current location (now the site of Leicheng Town No. 1 Primary School). Further expansions continued, and by the sixteenth year of the Zhengde era (1521), it was relocated to Zhudi Guesthouse. In the third year of the Jiajing era (1525), it was moved back to its current location. After the Qing Dynasty, it underwent multiple expansions and renovations, but no further relocations occurred.

　　After the Qing Dynasty came into power, the Confucius Temple experienced several cycles of prosperity and decline. In the third year of the Kangxi era (1665), Chen (name unclear) remarked: “When the Qing Dynasty established its rule, following the chaos of war and subsequent famines, the Confucius Temple became overgrown with weeds.” Magistrate He Tengfang said: “When our dynasty established its rule, due to Leizhou’s remote location and frequent threats from mountains and seas, cities lay in ruins, and military campaigns were frequent. The Confucius Temple was turned into a horse pasture. Not only were the halls and study rooms completely destroyed, but even broken steles and the old foundations were buried under rubble and weeds, almost beyond recognition.” Yet, the Confucius Temple remained a crucial base for the ruling class to cultivate talent and strengthen their governance. The upright official Chen (name unclear) stated: “The governance of a nation begins with education, and the implementation of education relies on the Confucius Temple. The Confucius Temple is where talent is nurtured for the service of the nation.” Others also said: “The imperial court establishes schools to cultivate talent and holds examinations to select scholars... all to elevate the foundation of governance and promote virtuous rule.” Therefore, despite periods of decline, the overall trend was toward continuous expansion, growing increasingly grand and magnificent.

　　Leizhou City was originally the administrative center of Leizhou Prefecture and had two Confucius Temples. The prefectural school was in the west, hence called Xisheng Palace, located at the site of the current Leicheng Town No. 3 Primary School, but unfortunately was destroyed by ignorant individuals. The county school was in the east, hence called Dongsheng Palace, and today only the Dacheng Hall and two side halls remain. The rest have been demolished and rebuilt, no longer existing.

　　Although the Haikang County Confucius Temple was established later than those of neighboring counties, after hundreds of years of additions and renovations, its scale became the largest among all Confucius Temples in the cities and counties under the jurisdiction of present-day Zhanjiang City. Its architectural complex consists of the Kuixing Gate, Pan Pond, Jimen (Rank Gate), Minghuan Shrine, Xiangxian Shrine, East and West Side Halls, Dacheng Hall, Minglun Hall, Instructor’s Office, Education Officer’s Office, and Chongsheng Cave. These structures are arranged along the central axis, rising step by step, forming a majestic and spectacular architectural ensemble.

　　Due to social development, the abolition of Confucian worship and the imperial examination system, the foundational role of the Confucius Temple gradually disappeared. Since its renovation in the second year of the Tongzhi era (1864) during the Qing Dynasty, Leizhou Confucius Temple gradually fell into disrepair and neglect. By 1997, most of the buildings had been demolished and rebuilt, leaving only the Dacheng Hall and the side halls, which were also dilapidated and on the verge of collapse. To promptly rescue and protect this historical relic, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province allocated a special renovation subsidy of 180,000 yuan in 1993. The Leizhou Municipal Government allocated a total of 340,000 yuan in three installments, and private donors contributed 20,000 yuan. The restoration officially began in the first month of 1995 and was completed in January 1997, with a total investment of 870,000 yuan.

　　This renovation followed the principle of “protection first, rescue foremost,” strictly ensuring that the restored Dacheng Hall matched the original in material style, dimensions and elevations of all architectural components, as well as overall and detailed exterior colors and textures.

　　The restored Dacheng Hall of Leizhou Confucius Temple appears majestic and breathtakingly beautiful, forming a sharp contrast with the unrestored East and West Side Halls.

　　Before entering the Dacheng Hall, one first sees the stone railings on the open-air sacrificial platform. The column panels are carved with simple yet elegant stone reliefs, depicting patterns of dragons, phoenixes, lions, elephants, and carp leaping over the dragon gate. The carving style is bold and smooth, without excessive detail, emphasizing overall effect. On the north side of the sacrificial platform is the moon terrace and worship pavilion integrated with the main hall. A plaque inscribed with “Haikang Confucius Temple,” written by the Director of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee, hangs above the pavilion. Upon entering the hall, the first thing one sees is a large standing statue of Confucius. Above the statue hangs a plaque in slender gold script reading “Model Teacher for All Generations.” On both sides are couplets: “Do not let the Lu Wall decline, respect teachers and revere sages; maintain the Apricot Altar forever, value education and nurture talent.” The high, spacious walls are free of any decoration, appearing simple and dignified, evoking deep reverence for Confucius, the great educator. The beams of the hall feature carvings of dragons playing with pearls and phoenixes facing the sun. The short columns, bracket arms, camel humps, and wooden pads on the hall’s frame are carved with patterns of dragons, phoenixes, carp, floral designs, waves, and coiled dragons. The colors are bright and the contrasts strong, creating a solemn and reverent atmosphere.

　　The Dacheng Hall features a double-eave hip-and-gable roof, with a mixed structure of through-tenon and bracket-arm construction. Its unique form and structure, simple and bearing distinctive local characteristics, serve as valuable physical material for studying ancient architecture in Leizhou. Luo Zhewen, head of the Engineering Technology Expert Group of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, once remarked during his visit to Leizhou: “The Confucius Temple is a symbol of the historic and cultural city of Leizhou... I fully support the restoration of the Confucius Temple.”

　　The restored “Confucius Temple” retains the characteristics of Ming Dynasty palace architecture, while the two side corridors, interconnected with the main hall and various study rooms, also exhibit the unique charm of southern Chinese architecture. As a rare surviving example, it is highly precious.

　　Although the Haikang Confucius Temple was established later than those in neighboring counties, its academic achievements far surpassed them. The author of “Record of the Haikang County Confucius Temple’s Recommended Scholars” wrote: “Haikang is an affiliate county of Leizhou Commandery. Those who advanced from the school to the imperial examinations were numerous, surpassing other counties.” Among its notable alumni is the upright official Chen (name unclear), who was praised by Emperor Kangxi as: “Chen (name unclear) served as an official exceptionally well, with outstanding integrity. I have seen many upright officials, but none like him. Even among the virtuous ministers of ancient times, few could match him. Truly an outstanding paragon of integrity.” Another alumnus, Chen Changqi, became a renowned linguist, astronomer, geographer, and physician during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong and Jiaqing eras. He lectured at Yuexiu Academy and edited the “Guangdong General Gazetteer,” “Leizhou Prefecture Gazetteer,” and “Haikang County Gazetteer.” The “Chinese Biographical Dictionary” describes him as “skilled in astronomy, authoring ‘Abridged Discourses on Astronomy’ and ‘Approximate Methods of Celestial Measurement.’” The “Haikang County Continued Gazetteer” also records his works “Essentials of Astronomy” in three volumes and “Geography Book Excerpts” in two volumes, praising him as a nationally renowned scholar of the Qianlong and Jiaqing eras.