most of the Confucius Temple
during the Qing Dynasty was
sort of like 2-in-1 function
serving as a Temple as well as
a school / academy
and this very Confucius Temple
located in the vicinity of Forbidden City
comes under the jurisdiction of
the central government / Royal authority
I am not too sure if “jurisdiction” is
the proper word to use but
you get what I mean right?
hence the design is
distinguishably “Royal”
as compared to other small-scaled C. Temple
on par with those temples in
Summer Palace and even Forbidden City
this is a lecture theatre
yes.. the Emperor did drop by
once in a blue moon to
talk to the students at the academic
who are under training to
become government officers
ain’t no ordinary students
they are either the top-scorers in
exams at their provincial level or
children of distinguished backgrounds
there is an exhibition on
the Examination & Education System of
the Qing Dynasty
this is a Golden Billboard
circa 1874
Top 3 with respective titles and
270 over a few categories
this is one of the honorary plaques
stating the qualification
How to get here:
Beijing Subway
Line 2 (baby blue) / Line 5 (baby pink)
how sweet, right
Yong He Gong station 雍和宮
Yong He Gong right across the street
is the Lama Temple
which was also the residence of
Emperor Yong Zheng 雍正
before he was crowned as the Emperor
therefore a half day trip will do
to cover the 3:
- Confucius Temple 孔廟
- National Academic 國子監
- Yong He Gong Lama Temple 雍和宮
