Yan Temple, Qufu – Dedicated to the Veneration of Yan Hui

Yan Temple (颜庙, Temple of Yan Hui), also known as Fusheng Temple (复圣庙), is located in Qufu City, Shandong Province. The exact date of its original construction is unknown. However, in 1307, during the late Yuan Dynasty, the old temple was destroyed and subsequently relocated to its current site, the former residence of Yan Hui in Louxiang. The new Yan Temple was completed in 1328 during the Zhizhihe era.

Layout of Yan Temple

The temple complex covers an area of 23,000 square meters, featuring 24 buildings from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. These structures include halls, pavilions, corridors, gates, and archways, totaling 159 rooms, and are surrounded by over 500 trees, including pines, cypresses, and locust trees. The layout consists of five courtyards arranged in sequence from south to north. The first courtyard lies in front of the temple gate, with a closed space on each side formed by stone archways and railings. The second courtyard contains the Louxiang Well Pavilion, where a Ming Dynasty stone stele inscribed with “陋巷井 (Louxiang Well)” can be found, along with several other steles. The courtyard leads to the Fusheng Temple Gate to the south, the Bowen Gate to the east, the Yueli Gate to the west, and the Guiren Gate to the north, along with auxiliary passages including the Keji Gate and the Fuli Gate.

The third main gate is the Yangsheng Gate, which opens into a courtyard containing two stele pavilions. Five gates align to the north, dividing the temple into central, eastern, and western routes. The central route features the Fusheng Hall and the Sleeping Hall along the main axis, flanked by two corridors that house ancestral shrines dedicated to famous Yan clan members such as Yan Zhitui, Yan Zhenqing, and Yan Shigu. The Fusheng Hall, the main hall of Yan Temple, spans seven bays in width and four bays in depth, with a double-eaved hip-gable roof covered in green glazed tiles. The hall’s roof ridge stands 17.48 meters high, with a depth of 17.10 meters and a width of 31.22 meters. Inside, a statue of Yan Hui is enshrined. The western route features the Qiguogong Gate, leading to the Qiguogong Hall and the Qiguogong Sleeping Hall, dedicated to Yan Hui’s parents and dating back to the Yuan Dynasty.

Who is Yan Hui

Yan Temple is dedicated to the veneration of Yan Hui, a revered disciple of Confucius. Yan Hui (521-490 BCE), also known by his courtesy name Yan Yuan, was a native of the State of Lu. He is celebrated as one of Confucius’s most esteemed disciples, renowned for his virtuous character. Despite his impoverished background, Yan Hui was deeply committed to learning. The Analects of Confucius contains numerous references to Yan Hui, praising his dedication and ethical conduct. Phrases such as “Yan Hui was fond of learning, he did not transfer his anger, and he did not make the same mistake twice” and “He lived on simple food and drink in a humble alley. Others could not bear his hardship, but Yan Hui did not change his joy. How virtuous was Yan Hui” are notable examples.

Several buildings in Yan Temple are named after quotes from the Analects, reflecting the high regard for Yan Hui’s admiration of his teacher, Confucius. For instance, the Bowen Gate and the Yueli Gate are named after Yan Hui’s praise of Confucius. The Keji Gate, Fuli Gate, and Guiren Gate are derived from Confucius’s teachings in the Analects. In 628, during the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Yan Hui was honored with the title of Xianshi (Venerable Teacher). In 739, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty posthumously conferred upon him the title of Duke of Zhongguo. In 1330, Emperor Wenzong of the Yuan Dynasty bestowed the additional title of Duke Fusheng of Zhongguo, leading to Yan Hui being revered as “Fusheng” (Revered Sage), and Yan Temple being known as “Fusheng Temple.”

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

Yan Temple is located at No. 4 Beijie Street, Gulou, Qufu City, Shandong Province. To get there, you can take bus Qufu 1 or Qufu 10 and get off at Gulou Hospital Stop (鼓楼医院站).