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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.
Attraction Location: "No. 13 Guozijian Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China (北京市东城区国子监街13号)"
History: The Confucius Temple in Beijing was originally built in 1302 during the Yuan Dynasty and later rebuilt and expanded in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It was dedicated to Confucius (孔子), the great Chinese philosopher, and served as a site for ritual ceremonies honoring him. It is the second largest Confucius Temple in China after Qufu.
Architecture: The temple complex follows traditional Chinese architectural principles with a north-south layout. It features multiple courtyards, ceremonial halls, carved stone inscriptions, and ancient cypress trees. Notable halls include Dacheng Hall (大成殿) and Kuiwen Pavilion (奎文阁), where scholars gathered for examinations and cultural activities.
Cultural Value: The Confucius Temple is an important site for Confucian culture, education, and historical heritage. It reflects the political and educational traditions of imperial China and serves as a center for traditional rites, calligraphy, and scholarly gatherings.
Other Information: The temple is often visited together with the nearby Guozijian (Imperial College, 国子监) to explore the ancient Chinese education system and Confucian philosophy. Visitors can also appreciate stone tablets with inscriptions of famous scholars’ names and historical records.
Opening Hours: "8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (April–October), 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (November–March)"
Contact Number: "+86 10 6401 2315"
Ticket Price: "Entrance: 30 CNY
Combined Ticket with Guozijian (Imperial College): 50 CNY"
Best Photo Spots: Dacheng Hall (大成殿) courtyard, Kuiwen Pavilion (奎文阁) entrance, cypress tree-lined paths
Time Reference: 1–2 hours to explore the temple; add another hour if visiting Guozijian
Other Information: Quiet mornings are ideal to experience the temple’s peaceful atmosphere. Guided tours provide historical context and explain Confucian rituals.
Luxury: The Peninsula Beijing (北京半岛酒店) – 20 min drive
Grand Hyatt Beijing (北京君悦酒店) – 15 min drive
Mid-range: Novotel Beijing Peace (北京诺富特和平酒店) – 10 min drive
Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen (北京假日快捷酒店东直门店) – 12 min drive
Budget & Boutique: 7 Days Inn Beijing Dongcheng (7天连锁酒店东城区店) – 5 min drive
Beijing Leo Hostel (北京里奥旅舍) – 7 min drive
Must-Try Dishes: Beijing Duck (北京烤鸭), Jianbing (煎饼), Dumplings (饺子)
Famous Spots: Quanjude Roast Duck (全聚德烤鸭店) – 10 min drive
Dadong Roast Duck (大董烤鸭店) – 12 min drive
Local Snack Street near Guozijian (国子监小吃街) – walkable
Half-Day Route: Confucius Temple → Guozijian (Imperial College) → Snack Street near Guozijian
Transportation: Walkable within 10 minutes
1-Day Cultural Route: Confucius Temple → Guozijian → Lama Temple (雍和宫) → Yonghegong Hutong area
Transportation: Walk to Lama Temple (~15 min) or take subway Line 2 at Yonghegong station
2-Day Historical Beijing Route: D1: Confucius Temple → Guozijian → Drum Tower (鼓楼) → Bell Tower (钟楼)
D2: Temple of Heaven (天坛) → Circular Mound Altar (圜丘) → Wangfujing Street
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.
This mainly introduces Confucius' life and the development history of the Kong family.
There are many ancient trees in the Confucius Temple!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Confucius Temple in Beijing's Imperial College is now fully open to the public.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The weather in Beijing is very good today. I went out for a walk and passed by here and took some photos.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Confucius Temple on the afternoon of the fifth day of the first lunar month in winter 2019.