Liuzhou Confucius Temple

　　The Liuzhou Confucius Temple was first built during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty. In the tenth year of the Yuanhe era (815 AD), Liu Zongyuan renovated the temple and wrote the “Newly Built Temple Stele for the Duke of Literary Culture in Liuzhou.” After the Tang Dynasty, the temple experienced several cycles of abandonment and revival. In 1928, it was destroyed in a great fire that engulfed the entire city, with its main structures reduced to ashes. Over more than two thousand years of cultural integration in China, the function of the Confucius Temple has far exceeded that of a mere commemorative structure, becoming a symbol of China’s multi-ethnic culture. Its existence reflects the dominant status of Confucianism in traditional Chinese culture.

　　Liuzhou is a historic cultural city with over two thousand years of history. After the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong posthumously honored Confucius as the Duke of Literary Culture, leading to nationwide worship of Confucius. Confucian temples were also known as Confucius Temples, combining worship and education. The Liuzhou Confucius Temple was first established in the early Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty. In 1928, it was completely destroyed in a devastating fire that razed half the city. Since then, rebuilding the temple has been the heartfelt wish of the people of Liuzhou. In 2009, the Liuzhou municipal government reconstructed the temple on the western foothills of Dengtai Mountain on the southern bank of the Liujiang River, listing it as one of the ten major projects in Liuzhou’s cultural development plan. The rebuilt temple rose from the ashes, nestled against the mountain and facing the river, backed by Dengtai Mountain in the southeast. It consists of key structures such as the Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Chongsheng Shrine, and Minglun Hall, designed primarily in the Song Dynasty style combined with Lingnan regional architectural elements. With Dengtai Mountain as its backdrop and Jiahe Mountain as its foreground, the magnificent golden temple stands proudly on the former site of the Han-era Liuzhou City. From a high vantage point, the cultural vibrancy of Liuzhou radiates brilliantly, transforming the site into a scenic destination that beckons visitors. It is an iconic cultural landmark along the “Hundred-Mile Liujiang” landscape belt and a classic among China’s more than 2,000 Confucius Temples. It is also a national 4A-level tourist attraction.

　　During the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, the Liuzhou Confucius Temple was first constructed. In June of the tenth year of the Yuanhe era (815 AD), Liu Zongyuan was appointed as the Prefect of Liuzhou. By August, he had initiated the reconstruction of the temple, which was completed by October. Liu Zongyuan renovated the Temple of the Duke of Literary Culture (the original site is unknown), vigorously promoting Confucius and the doctrines and philosophies of Confucianism. He elaborated on the close relationship between the dissemination of Confucian thought and the implementation of central government policies, which helped improve administrative efficiency in Liuzhou, “eradicate local vulgarities,” and rapidly advance social, economic, and cultural progress. In 1289 (the 26th year of the Zhiyuan era during the Yuan Dynasty), local officials re-erected the Temple Stele of the Duke of Literary Culture in Liucheng (then the administrative center of Liuzhou). The lower part of the stele features a carving of Liu Zongyuan, and this stele is preserved in the Temple of Marquis Liu. In 1373 (the 6th year of the Hongwu era during the Ming Dynasty), the Liuzhou Confucius Temple was relocated to the northwest part of the city (now the area of the Second Municipal Middle School), but no above-ground structures remain today.

　　In 2009, the Liuzhou Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee reviewed and passed the “Overall Work Plan for Implementing the Ten Major Cultural Projects of Liuzhou.” Among them, the reconstruction of the Liuzhou Confucius Temple became one of the highlights drawing public attention. After extensive research and verification by relevant experts and scholars, the new temple site was finally chosen between the western side of Dengtai Mountain (according to the Municipal Place Names Office, Dengtai Mountain should be the correct name instead of Dengtai Mountain) and Jiahe Mountain—near the former site of the Liuzhou No. 2 Plastics General Factory. Construction began on October 9, 2009, and was completed on September 28, 2010, the birthday of Confucius.

　　The modern reconstruction and renovation of Confucius Temples have gone beyond the traditional “temple-school integrated” system of “worshiping Confucius and running schools,” evolving into important symbols that safeguard a region’s historical and cultural heritage. They serve as platforms for promoting traditional culture in contemporary society and as key venues for advancing outstanding traditional Chinese culture.

　　[Dacheng Hall]

　　Seven bays wide and five bays deep, the hall stands 31.8 meters tall, 49.7 meters wide, and 47.5 meters deep. It features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof with copper tiles and upturned eaves, intricately interlocking brackets, and richly painted beams and rafters. The surrounding corridor is four meters wide, supported by 40 golden columns, each six meters high and 0.8 meters in diameter, with purple copper brackets carved with cloud-and-dragon motifs. The roof ridge is adorned with dragon heads, covered with yellow copper tiles. Inside, the ceiling is decorated with Small Seal Script quotes from the Analects of Confucius. The corridor is fitted with carved white marble railings, and steps lead up to the elevated platform to enter the hall. In front of the hall is an altar platform with connecting walkways, serving as a place for incense offerings and Confucius worship. The lower platform features a design of two dragons playing with a pearl. The entire Dacheng Hall is majestic in presence, structurally harmonious, and exhibits distinctive Eastern architectural characteristics.

　　[Apricot Altar]

　　The Apricot Altar is nine meters high, eight meters long, and eight meters wide, forming a square plane with access on all sides. It has steel-reinforced concrete golden pillars, a double-eaved roof with blue tiles, a circular upper eave, and a square lower eave. The roof is hipped on all sides, with a cruciform ridge. A blue plaque with gold characters reading “Apricot Altar” hangs beneath the eaves. The base has five levels, accessible from all sides, with white marble railings carved with cloud patterns. The altar is exquisitely decorated with painted beams and carved details, appearing uniform from all angles and featuring unique architectural artistry. Legend has it that the Apricot Altar was where Confucius taught.

　　[Chongsheng Hall]

　　Standing 28 meters tall, 41 meters long, and 33.8 meters wide, the hall has three stories with a pyramidal roof and multiple eaves, covered with grayish-green glazed tiles. It is surrounded by white marble railings, with column capitals carved with cloud motifs and panel carvings of two dragons playing with a pearl. The interior caisson ceiling and doors/windows are decorated with precious nanmu wood and antique-style paintings. The Chongsheng Hall boasts an elegant design and embodies Southern Chinese architectural features.

　　[Houde Minglun Hall]

　　Located behind the Dacheng Hall, the Minglun Hall has a round top and square base, a double-eaved roof with a pointed spire, and gray glazed tiles. It stands 22.5 meters tall and measures 21.6 by 21.6 meters in width. The outer corridor is enclosed by white marble railings, with column capitals carved with taotie and cloud-dragon motifs, and panel carvings of two dragons playing with a pearl. The interior caisson ceiling and doors/windows are adorned with valuable nanmu wood and antique paintings, giving the building a uniquely distinctive form.

　　[Wenchang Pagoda]

　　The Wenchang Pagoda stands 29 meters tall in total (including the spire), with a square base about nine meters per side. Named after Wenchang, the pagoda symbolizes using the tower as a brush, the river as ink, Dengtai and Jiahe Mountains as the desk, and heaven and earth as the canvas. It signifies that the rising talents of Liuzhou will shoulder the great mission of history and become pillars of the nation.

　　[Dengtai Pavilion]

　　Named after Dengtai Mountain, the pavilion also carries the meaning of climbing higher step by step toward better things. This pavilion is designed in the traditional Chinese garden architectural style, nestled by the mountain and river, seemingly emerging from the landscape. Climbing the stairs and leaning on the railing, visitors can enjoy the view of clear waters, green hills, rainbow bridges, the Confucius Temple, and the picturesque scenery of the Pot City.

　　Address: Fuzi Road, Yufeng District, Liuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

　　Type: Historical Site

　　Opening Hours:

　　9:00–17:00

　　Ticket

　　Liuzhou Confucius Temple Adult Ticket ¥30

　　Information Source: Liuzhou Tourism Online