The Jilin Confucius Temple (吉林文庙), built in the first year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1736), covers a total area of 16,354 square meters. It is one of China’s four major Confucian temples, alongside the Nanjing Confucius Temple, Qufu Confucius Temple, and Beijing Confucius Temple. The temple complex features traditional oriental architecture and is modeled after the imperial palace design.
The Temple spans 74 meters from east to west and 221 meters from north to south, with 64 rooms including halls and pavilions. The three main structures – Da Cheng Gate, Da Cheng Hall, and Chong Sheng Hall – are arranged along a central axis, with symmetrical auxiliary buildings on both sides, surrounded by a 3-meter-high red wall. In front of the main gate is a 40-meter-long and 5-meter-high screen wall. The construction of the Jilin Confucius Temple marked the Qing Dynasty’s recognition of the spread of Han culture in Northeast China, symbolizing the integration of Han culture with that of local ethnic minorities. It played an important role in fostering cultural exchange between the Manchu and Han people.
The Da Cheng Hall is the core of the temple’s main architecture, a grand and elegant palace-style building. Standing on a nearly two-meter-high platform, it features jade-carved balustrades and surrounds the hall with corridors. The hall itself is imposing, highlighting Confucius’ esteemed status. Measuring 19.46 meters in height, 36 meters in width, and 25 meters in depth, the Da Cheng Hall has a double-eaved hip roof with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes on the ridges. The front is adorned with nine dragons, while the back features nine phoenixes, and the roof is covered with yellow glazed tiles.
The Da Cheng Gate, which consists of five bays, serves as the main entrance for Confucius worship. Its architecture is unique, featuring high-relief carvings of dragons and phoenixes. Five dragons decorate the front, while five phoenixes adorn the back. On either side of the gate are two auxiliary doors, the “Jin Sheng” (Golden Sound) to the east and “Yu Zhen” (Jade Vibration) to the west. Behind the Da Cheng Hall is the Chong Sheng Hall, a large building dedicated to Confucius’ ancestors, originally housing tablets of Confucius’ five generations of ancestors. It also once displayed a collection of highly valuable artifacts, including embroidered portraits of Confucius. The symmetrical auxiliary buildings on either side complement the temple’s overall design.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 16.00; Closed on Mondays |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0432-62438636 |
Location and Transportation
The Jilin Confucius Temple is located at No. 2 Nanchang Road, Wenmiao Hutong, Changyi District, Jilin City, Jilin Province, China. It is near Jiangcheng Square. To get there, you can take bus 13, 56, or 334 and get off at Wenmiao Hutong Stop (文庙胡同站).
