The Quanzhou Confucian Temple, a millennium-old ancient architecture that tops Southeast China

◆ The Quanzhou Prefecture Confucian Temple is one of the 22 World Heritage sites in Quanzhou, Fujian. Compared to other regional Confucian temples of the same level, the Quanzhou Prefecture Confucian Temple ranks first in architectural scale among the 'Confucian Temples of the Seven Provinces in Southeast China'. ◆ The Quanzhou Confucian Temple was built during the Tang Dynasty, with its main layout formed in 1137. It covers an area of over 5,000 square meters and is the largest existing Confucian temple complex in Southeast China, incorporating architectural styles from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The overall architecture faces south with the main buildings aligned along the central north-south axis, preserving the stone foundations and platforms from the Song Dynasty, while the wooden components were reconstructed in the Qing Dynasty according to the original appearance. ◆ The main building, the Dacheng Hall, is a typical Song Dynasty double-eave hip-roof structure, supported by 48 white round stone pillars. The front eaves of the hall feature two relief-carved dragon golden pillars and six relief-carved dragon eave pillars, with the roof covered in yellow glazed tiles... This style represents the highest architectural standard in ancient China and is rare among Confucian temples nationwide, fully reflecting the cultural prosperity and special political status Quanzhou gained from overseas trade during the Song and Yuan dynasties. ◆ The interior decoration of the Dacheng Hall is also extremely luxurious. Looking up, one can see the dougong (bracket set) and lifting beam wooden structure, with plaques hanging from the beams inscribed with the calligraphy of Emperor Kangxi's 'Exemplar of Teachers for All Ages', Emperor Qianlong's 'Unborn People', Emperor Jiaqing's 'Great Achievement of the Holy Collection', as well as plaques from the Qing Dynasty emperors Xianfeng, Tongzhi, and Guangxu, indicating a very high standard. On both sides, there are Confucian musical instruments, dance instruments, and ritual vessels. ◆ The Quanzhou Prefecture Confucian Temple is also a grand ancient architectural complex. On the west side, there is the Confucian sacrificial building group (including the Lingxing Gate ruins, Dacheng Gate, Pan Pool, Pan Palace, Dacheng Hall, etc.), and on the east side, there is the provincial-level local educational building group (including the Yuying Gate, Xue Pool, Minglun Hall, etc.), with historical figures from Quanzhou since the Ming and Qing dynasties worshipped in the Cai Qing Temple, Li Wenjie Temple, and Zhuang Jichang Top Scholar Temple. ◆ The exterior of the Quanzhou Prefecture Confucian Temple is characterized by red tile sloping roofs, dragon ridges, swallowtails, brick walls, and whitewashed walls, reflecting the organic combination of Central Plains culture from the Song Dynasty and the ancient Minnan architectural art. Address: Quanzhou Prefecture Confucian Temple, Fujian Province Tickets: Free