Yuncheng | Jiexian Confucian Temple: Majestic Architecture and Grand Atmosphere!

🚘 Basic Information 🚘
Location: Opposite the Postal Savings Bank on Zijinshan Road, Jiexian, Yuncheng
Attraction: Jiexian Confucian Temple
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tickets: Free
Transportation: No direct public transport; options include taxis, private cars, or ride-sharing services
🌈 Jiexian in Yuncheng boasts a rich history and is known as "The First County in the World." It is the hometown of Emperor Yao and the ancient capital of the Jin Kingdom, featuring numerous historical sites such as the tombs of Jin Xian Gong, Jin Wen Gong, Jin Ling Gong, and Chexiang City. These cultural relics narrate the glorious history of this ancient county.
🌄 Architectural Style 🌄
🌈 Jiexian Confucian Temple is a complex of buildings with a well-organized layout. The structures are aligned from south to north along a central axis. The southernmost part features the Dacheng Gate, flanked by side gates to the east and west. The temple spans 96 meters in length and 44 meters in width, covering an area of 4,224 square meters. It includes various structures such as Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Xiangxian Shrine, Mingxian Shrine, the passage hall, theater stage, Xian Hall, Dacheng Hall, Minglun Hall, Linjing Tower, Jingyi Pavilion, Chongsheng Shrine, Shepu Pavilion, and Wenchang Pavilion. Currently, only the Dacheng Hall and Minglun Hall remain. Dacheng Hall showcases Yuan Dynasty architectural style, while Minglun Hall is a relic from the Qing Dynasty.
🌈 The Dacheng Gate leads to the first courtyard, featuring an oval-shaped brick pond called the Lotus Pond. A bridge divides the pond into eastern and western halves. At the northern end of the pond, two stone-carved dragon heads spout water, fed by a stream from Chencunyu. The water is crystal clear.
🌈 The Lingxing Gate marks the entrance to the second courtyard, where the main buildings of the Confucian Temple are located.
🌈 The third courtyard features a wooden archway and the Minglun Hall, which served as the venue for local examinations for scholars.
🌈 The fourth courtyard houses key structures such as Jingyi Pavilion, East and West Dormitories, and Chongsheng Shrine.
🌈 The final courtyard includes the Shepu Pavilion and Wenchang Pavilion. The Wenchang Pavilion is built with blue bricks, spans five bays, and is divided into two levels, standing approximately 15 meters tall.
📜 Historical Background 📜
🌈 In the region where Jin Wen Gong Chong'er rose to prominence, surrounded by Zhongtiao Mountain, Mo River, Yi Mountain, and Fei River, lies an ancient city called "Old Pudu," now known as Yi County. In the southern part of the county, there is a Confucian Temple built during the Tang Dynasty. Confucian Temples were places for worshiping Confucius, teaching, training, and advancing in official ranks. In the 27th year of the Kaiyuan era (739 AD), Emperor Xuanzong of Tang conferred the title of "Wenxuan King" upon Confucius, and temples dedicated to him were henceforth called "Wenxuan King Temples." During the Ming Dynasty, they were simply referred to as "Confucian Temples" to distinguish them from martial temples.
🌈 It is said that before Yi County produced a top scholar, the main gate of the Confucian Temple remained closed, and only the side gates were used. A stone stele outside the west side gate bore the inscription: "Civil officials dismount from their sedan chairs, and military officials dismount from their horses." Iron cannon bases were embedded in the road for firing ceremonial salutes during grand rituals. Opposite the Dacheng Gate stood a glazed Nine-Dragon Wall, adorned with swirling clouds and nine dragons in dynamic poses.
🌸 A Closing Note 🌸
🌈 The temple houses statues of Confucius and his four major disciples. Legend has it that the main gate only opens for those who achieve the rank of top scholar.