Anshun Confucius Temple – Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights

The Anshun Confucius Temple (安顺文庙), located in Anshun City, Guizhou Province, China, dates back to the early years of the Ming Dynasty, around 1368 AD, during the reign of Emperor Hongwu. It was destroyed by warfare in the second year of the Tianqi era (1622) and subsequently rebuilt in the following year. Over the years, it underwent several expansions and renovations during the reigns of Emperor Kangxi in the seventh year (1668), the fifty-fifth year (1716), and the seventeenth year of the Daoguang era (1837) of the Qing Dynasty, reaching its current form with 22 existing buildings spanning approximately 8,000 square meters.

Situated on the gentle slope of “Kongming Hill,” the temple follows a symmetrical layout along the central axis with four courtyards, each rising higher than the previous one. It retains the historical appearance of Ming and Qing Confucius temples, making it one of the most exquisite Confucius temples in China. The temple serves as a witness to the extension and development of Confucian culture from the Central Plains to the remote southwestern regions during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Table of Contents

• Basic Information
• Location and Transportation
• Highlights of Anshun Confucius Temple
  • Lingxing Gate
  • Dacheng Hall
• Vlog about Anshun Confucius Temple

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

The Anshun Confucius Temple is located at 47 Hongxueba Road, Xixiu District, Anshun City, Guizhou Province, China. It is conveniently situated close to the city center. To get there, you can take bus 1, 3, 11, or 14 and get off at Baxiao East Stop (八小东站).

Highlights of Anshun Confucius Temple

Lingxing Gate

The Lingxing Gate stands as a monumental structure, featuring a four-pillar, three-door style stone archway adorned with intricate carvings. It spans 9.25 meters in width and stands 7.6 meters tall. The pillars are set on pedestals, flanked by stone drums, with elaborate decorations of two dragons playing with pearls and other ornamental motifs carved on the large lintel above. Atop each of the four pillars sit finely sculpted stone lions. Flanking the Lingxing Gate on both sides are two three-bay buildings: the Xiangxian Shrine to the south and the Minghuan Shrine to the north, dedicated to the commemoration of past virtuous scholars and eminent figures of Anshun.

Dacheng Hall

Dacheng Hall, situated on a two-meter-high platform, spans five bays. Adorning the front of the hall are a pair of corridor pillars crafted from whole stones intricately carved into coiling dragons. These impressive pillars, standing at 6 meters in height with a diameter of 0.8 meters, are supported by stone lions at their bases. The dragons are carved in a style that alternates between solid and hollow, giving them a lifelike appearance as if they were emerging from mist and clouds, representing an outstanding example of ancient Chinese stone carving artistry. Inside Dacheng Hall, Confucius’ memorial tablet is enshrined, along with tablets commemorating the Four Sages and Twelve Philosophers. Flanking the hall are the Loyalty and Filial Piety Shrines, dedicated to the memory of Anshun’s loyalists and filial children.

Vlog about Anshun Confucius Temple