Monday, June 30, 2014

Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街

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

Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街

 

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?

Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街

 

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

Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街

 

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

Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街

 

ain’t no ordinary students

they are either the top-scorers in

exams at their provincial level or

children of distinguished backgrounds

Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街

 

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

Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街

 

this is one of the honorary plaques

stating the qualification

Confucius Temple 孔廟 X National-Academic 國子監: Beijing 成賢街

 

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

Yong He Gong Lama Temple 雍和宮

 

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