The Confucius Temple

The Confucius Temple is an embodiment of Confucian culture in architecture. The largest and oldest Confucius Temple in China is located in Confucius' hometown in present-day Chufu, Shantung Province. For over 2,000 years, this temple has gradually evolved into its current magnificence and size and serves as the blueprint for all other Confucian temples.

Of the approximately thirty Confucian temples of varying sizes in Taiwan, the Tainan Confucius Temple is one of the most breath-taking and representative. This temple was founded in the Ming dynasty and converted into a prefectural school during the Ching dynasty. A plaque hangs in the temple from that period on which it is written, "The Head School of Taiwan."

The Confucian temple in Talungtung in Taipei was founded during the
Ch'ing dynasty and renovated in 1927. Its main structures include the Ta Cheng Hall, Ten Thousand Fathom Wall, Pan Pond, Ling Hsing Gate, Gate of Rites, Sage Worship Altar, Ming Lun Hall, Chu Tze Alter, Kui Hsing Gate (after the God of Literature), and the Wu Sheng Shrine. Every year on Teachers' Day, a solemn ceremony is held according to ancient rites called the "Confucius Memorial Service," and is attended by Chinese and foreign visitors.