Scenic Spots of Nanjing Confucius Temple

Scenic Spots of Nanjing Confucius Temple – Screen Wall

The Screen Wall is located in the south bank of Qinhuai River. It was built in the third year (1575) of Wanli Period of Ming Dynasty. It is 110 meters long and was praised as the longest screen wall in China. It takes Qinhuai River as its natural moat.

Scenic Spots of Nanjing Confucius Temple – Stone Rail

The Stone Rail on the north bank of Qinhuai River was built in the ninth year (1514) of Zhengde Period of Ming Dynasty. The front gate of Nanjing Confucius Temple was named Lingxing Gate. It is a stone-structured gate with six pillars and three doors. It shapes gracefully and was decorated by sculpted peonies.

Scenic Spots of Nanjing Confucius Temple – Dacheng Gate

Dacheng Gate is behind the Lingxing Gate. Confucius managed to epitomize the ancient culture of China, so this gate was named Dacheng Gate.

There are stone lions in front Dacheng Gate. There are side doors on both sides of the gate. There are 4 ancient steles in the gate: Greeting Stele of Confucius which was said to be the relic of Southern Dynasty; Ceremony Stele of Confucius Temple which was carved in Yuan Dynasty; Stele of Honor Confucius Wife as Sacrosanctity and Stele of Honor Confucius Four Students as Second Sages which could be dated back to Yuan Dynasty.

Scenic Spots of Nanjing Confucius Temple – Central Temple

There are eight gingkoes in the yard of Central Temple. There is a straight path toward the Red Platform in front of Dacheng Hall. The Red Platform is the place where the dance ceremony be held when hold a memorial ceremony for Confucius. There is a bronze statue of Confucius which is 4.18 meters high and weights 2500 kilograms standing in the center of the Red Platform. There are white marble statues of Confucius 12 students who were praised as Twelve Talents standing in the two sides of the stairs.

Scenic Spots of Nanjing Confucius Temple – Dacheng Hall

Dacheng Hall is the main building of Nanjing Confucius Temple. It is 16.22 meters high, 28.1 meters wide and 21.7 meters deep. There is a picture of Confucius which is 6.5 meters high and 3.15 meters wide (it is the biggest picture of Confucius in China) hanging in the middle of the wall. There are some ancient musical instruments for memorizing Confucius. Visitors could appreciate the music of Spring and Autumn Period. There are murals showing Confucius achievements vividly.

Scenic Spots of Nanjing Confucius Temple – Qinhuai River

Qinhuai River was called Huai River in ancient times. Qinhuai River was divided into Inner River and Outer River. The Inner River is in Nanjing City. It is the most prosperous place in Qinhuai Area. Nanjing was established as capital eleven times in history. Renowned personalities and businessmen gathered at Inner Qinhuai River since ancient times. Nanjing Municipality invested a large number of money in the renovating of Qinhuai Belt after 1985. Qinhuai River becomes a famous scenic spot of China again.

Scenic Spots of Nanjing Confucius Temple – Zhonghua Gate

Zhonghua Gate is the south gate of Nanjing City. It is located at the north bank of Qinhuai River. It is 118.5 meters wide and 128 meters long. Zhonghua Gate covers an area of 15168 square meters. The Wengcheng (a small city built in front of the city gate to defend the city) in front of Zhonghua Gate is the biggest existing castle-structured wengcheng in China. It is also honored as the most well-preserved and sophisticated-structured ancient castle in the world. It was listed as a key cultural relic under state protection.