Confucius Temple

孔庙

The Beijing Confucius Temple is located on Guozijian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing. It was a place for worshipping Confucius during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. It was built in 1302 (the sixth year of Dade in the Yuan Dynasty) and completed in the tenth year of Dade. The Confucius Temple has three courtyards inside the gate. The buildings on the central axis are Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Chongsheng Gate and Chongsheng Temple from south to north. There are 198 steles with the names of Jinshi from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, which are important documents for studying the ancient Chinese imperial examination system. The Confucius Temple has been open to the public since 1928.

Attractions Location: No. 15, Guozijian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Tickets: 30 Yuan

Opening hours:
08:30-18:00 (all day) (Tuesday to Sunday, May 1st to October 31st)
08:30-17:00 (all day); Last admission: 15:30 (Tuesday to Sunday, April 30-November 1) Not open to the public (all day)
(April 30th - November 1st, Monday)

Contact Details: 010-64075259;010-64057214

Transportation:
Metro: Take Line 2, Inner Ring, and get off at Lama Temple Exit F (Southeast Exit), then walk 453 meters to the destination

Time reference: More than 3 hours


Recommended itinerary for Confucius Temple tours

1-day Confucian culture tour

  • 9:00-12:00 Confucian Temple and Imperial College Museum (5-minute walk from Exit G of Lama Temple Station on Subway Line 2/Line 5)
  • 13:30-17:00 Lama Temple (10 minutes’ walk)

In-depth experience of the highest institution of learning in ancient China and the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism

Food: Jingzhaoyin vegetarian food near Lama Temple


2-day cultural tour

  • Day 1: Confucius Temple and Imperial College area
  • Day 2: Forbidden City (Metro Line 2 to Line 1, 30 minutes)

From Confucian culture to imperial architecture

Accommodation: Hotel in Wangfujing area


3-day in-depth cultural tour

  • Day 1: Confucius Temple, Imperial College + Lama Temple
  • Day 2: Summer Palace (Metro Line 5 to Line 4, 50 minutes)
  • Day 3: Old Summer Palace (15 minutes walk)

A perfect combination of Confucianism, Buddhism and royal gardens

Food: Tingli Pavilion, Summer Palace


4-day panoramic cultural tour

  • Day 1-2: Refer to 2-day cultural tour
  • Day 3: Temple of Heaven (Metro Line 5, 30 minutes)
  • Day 4: Qianmen Street (20 minutes by Metro Line 7)

Diverse experiences from Confucianism to market culture

Accommodation: Courtyard Hotel in Qianmen District


5-day in-depth experience tour

  • Day 1-3: Refer to 3-day in-depth tour
  • Day 4: Prince Gong’s Mansion (Metro Line 4, 40 minutes)
  • Day 5: Shichahai (15 minutes walk)

The perfect combination of Confucian culture and Wangfu Hutong

Food: Barbecue Season


6-Day Beijing Classic Tour

  • Day 1-4: Refer to 4-day panoramic tour
  • Day 5: Badaling Great Wall (30 minutes by high-speed rail)
  • Day 6: Olympic Park (Metro Line 8, 1 hour)

A complete experience from traditional culture to modern architecture

Accommodation: Hotels near Olympic Park


7-day ultimate cultural tour

  • Day 1-5: Refer to 5-day in-depth tour
  • Day 6: Mutianyu Great Wall (1.5 hours by special bus)
  • Day7: 798 Art District (Metro Line 14, 40 minutes)

A complete experience from Confucian culture to modern art

Food: Creative restaurants in 798 Art District


User Reviews

By hdguanyi |

Confucius Temple on the afternoon of the fifth day of the first lunar month in winter 2019.

By fish |

The main gate of the Confucius Temple is the Xianshi Gate

When you enter the Confucius Temple, you will see a stone statue of Confucius, and behind the statue is the "Dacheng Gate". Dacheng Gate is the second gate of the Confucius Temple.

Passing through the Dacheng Gate, there is a spacious courtyard with towering ancient trees.

There are "Dacheng Ritual and Music Performances" at the Chongsheng Temple behind the Dacheng Hall at different times. If you are not in a hurry, you can take a look at it, it is quite exciting.

By Super Mario |

This mainly introduces Confucius' life and the development history of the Kong family.

There are many ancient trees in the Confucius Temple!

By The lazy young man |

The Confucius Temple in Beijing is the second largest Confucius Temple in the country. In the temple, you can see inscriptions by famous people from all dynasties. I wonder what the Confucius Temple in Shandong is like.

By Joy |

The Confucius Temple and the Imperial Academy were the places where we saw the most student tour groups during this trip. They were indeed the places where the royal families of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped Confucius and were the highest institutions of learning in the country and administrative organs that managed national education.

The Confucius Temple is not big, so it doesn't take a lot of time to visit. However, the Dacheng ritual and music performances are divided into time periods, and we were waiting for the three o'clock show. We had plenty of time, so we followed several groups to listen to their explanations, such as the royal family held incense in one hand and a pen in the other when offering sacrifices to Confucius, how we worship Confucius, the gestures of worshiping Confucius, why we only worship Confucius once in our lifetime, and why we bow four times instead of three times. It was really interesting to listen to the explanations. But there are also routines O(∩_∩)O Haha~, there are two points selling pens and purses behind the Dacheng Hall, which are really not cheap, two hundred for a pen and one hundred for a purse, and many people buy them. The tour guide said that the pen and purse will bless them, and they can ask for academic, career, and wealth O(∩_∩)O, and I have learned a lot.

After paying homage to Confucius, we waited for about ten minutes and then the performance began. There were three programs in total, about ten minutes long. The sound of the chimes was very immersive.

By Travel with Huahua |

I went there by myself on a weekend day, and it was really nice. There were students practicing and performing in class, and they looked just like the imperial scholars on TV, very polite. It would be nice to bring your children there to be influenced by them. You will understand the significance of the tour guide's explanation better if you see him.

By White Rabbit Toffee Pudding |

This is where the emperor worshipped Confucius. I understand that this is where the emperor taught. This is actually the ancient university, divided into grades and classes. It is a higher education institution that integrates learning, lectures, and examinations!

By Zhao Yuyan |

The Confucius Temple in Beijing was first built in the Yuan Dynasty. It has three courtyards and was the place where Confucius was worshipped during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

The Imperial Academy was first built in the Yuan Dynasty. It has three courtyards and was renovated and expanded during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was the highest institution of learning and educational administration established by the state during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is also the only ancient highest institution of learning in China that has been preserved intact.

By Caroline |

I took advantage of the last hour before closing time to quickly queue up to buy tickets. I unexpectedly came across a very beautiful tree and was in a very good mood. When I looked up to appreciate the flowers, I remembered the mood at that moment. It was standing in the unintersecting time and space. It was also beautiful to be quiet and not disturbed.

By Junjun |

The Beijing Confucius Temple is located near the Lama Temple. The ticket price is 30 yuan. It is connected to the Imperial Academy. The Beijing Confucius Temple is one of the three largest Confucius Temples in my country and the highest-level Confucius Temple in ancient times. There are not many tourists, so I recommend you to visit it.

By Avenmark |

The Confucius Temple has a strong cultural atmosphere, and there are performances of traditional musical instruments every 20 minutes, which is quite fun. When visiting, I heard the introduction of the tour guide next to me, and it seems that many people come here to study. If you have friends who are studying, you can pay attention to it.

By Spring is coming |

The Confucius Temple in Beijing's Imperial College is now fully open to the public.

By Jessy |

The Confucius Temple in Beijing is a building built to worship Confucius during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. It is also known as the "Temple of the First Master". It faces south and its main gate is called the First Master Gate, which still maintains the style of the Yuan Dynasty. The First Master Gate is connected to the outer walls of the temple on both sides, like a city gate. Entering the First Master Gate, you will see the Dacheng Gate. Entering the Dacheng Gate, you will arrive at the Dacheng Hall, which is the main building and the central building of the entire Confucius Temple. It is the most sacred hall in the Confucius Temple. The entire Confucius Temple has a scientific layout and a grand scale, highlighting the royal style.

By Linghu onion |

I used to go to big attractions when I went to Beijing. This time, I saw Confucius Temple and Imperial College were among the recommended attractions. I went there because I had enough time. These two attractions are next to Lama Temple. You can visit them together. After leaving Lama Temple, walk to Imperial College Street and you will reach Confucius Temple. The combined ticket of Confucius Temple and Imperial College is 30 yuan, and the elderly can get a discount of half with their ID cards.

After entering the Confucius Temple, you will see the Monument of the Golden List. Most of the Jinshi of the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties are on it. It can be said to be the highest honor for scholars and academicians. It is quite shocking! Similarly, it is recommended to join a group tour to listen to a lot of interesting content. Next to the Confucius Temple is the Imperial College, which is said to be the highest institution of learning in the country at that time. In short, the Confucius Temple and the Imperial College are worth visiting.

By Xiaoyang Chosen |

The most numerous pavilions in the Confucius Temple record the outstanding military achievements of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty and have high historical value.

By A healthy unknown |

It has been merged with the Imperial College. If you want to see the Confucius Temple, you'd better go to Shandong. It's just a temple and is slightly inferior to other ancient books in Beijing.

By My Little World |

The weather in Beijing is very good today. I went out for a walk and passed by here and took some photos.

By xiaomao800 |

Confucius Temple - a temple to commemorate Confucius, the teacher of all ages, covers an area of ​​more than 22,000 square meters. With the Dacheng Hall as the center, it forms a central axis from north to south. There are three courtyards and the buildings are symmetrical. The main buildings are the First Teacher Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, and Chongsheng Temple. Although it is not as large as the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong, it is a temple under the feet of the emperor after all, and it is more solemn and majestic. I feel the world's admiration and respect for the founder of Confucianism.

By Upstream |

Beijing Confucius Temple covers an area of ​​more than 22,000 square meters. With the Dacheng Hall as the center, it forms a central axis from north to south. It has three courtyards and the buildings are symmetrical. The main buildings are the Xianshi Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, and Chongsheng Temple. The "Dacheng Ritual Music" performance here is very distinctive.

By Lhasa Wanzhong |

Inside Andingmen in Beijing is Guozijian Street, also known as Chengxian Street. This street has four original Qing Dynasty painted wooden archways, making it the street with the most and most complete archways preserved in Beijing. There are rows of locust trees on both sides of the street, with thick shade and fragrant locust flowers. The Beijing Confucius Temple is located at the east end of this street.

By Mu Bei Yi Yi |

There are many such century-old trees in the Confucius Temple. I am very interested in them. I think it is very beautiful to just look at their bare branches. They have witnessed the rise and fall of China in the past century and the changes in history. They are like wise old men. They can't speak or move, but they know everything.