posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Aug 3
Beijing’s Confucius Temple, built for the great Chinese educator and philosopher, lies on the north side of the city, just a few minutes away from the 4 star Beijing Ningxia Hotel.
Each day there are people paying homage to the man who had altered the course of Chinese culture and history. And you won’t find yourself a better place to get to know China.
As soon as you step in this ancient sanctuary, you are sure to be astonished by the lushness of its trees. Many of them have been there since the time the temple was built, testifying to the reverence the Chinese hold to Confucius.
There 198 large stone tablets lie in rows on each side of the path that leads you to the main courtyard. The tablets bear the names of all 51,624 Jingshi scholars who passed the imperial exams throughout Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
Having passed the world’s oldest civil service system, these scholars joined ancient China’s social elite. To became a Jingshi scholar and hold a government post, first one would have to pass various Confucian exams held in his home provinces. If they can succeed in these exams, they will enter the final and most important one – the exam to which to topic will be assigned by the emperor himself.
The chance of fail was high: Only one thousandth could pass the imperial exam, and the previous exams that brought one scholar to this point had already took him ten years. Still, more were coming to try their luck, for success in the imperial exam could mean wealth and honor of their family.
Just past the tablets, a huge gate stands at the entrance to the main courtyard. Under the gate are a Chinese drum and a bell. Throughout his life, Confucius had been a great advocate of harmony among people. But was the best tool to accomplish that? He suggested music, which allows one to achieve mental peace and makes him a true lover of harmony.
Once in the main courtyard, you will be immediately attracted by a large, old well. This isn’t any well; it got its name Yanshui from a Qing dynasty emperor. Legend has it that anyone who drinks water from this well will become quick-witted and pass their exams. Come here and you seem to be able to picture the crowd of hundreds of Jingshi-scholar wannabes who came for the special water, hoping it could help in passing the imperial exam.
The dominant building in the courtyard is Da Cheng Dian – Hall of Ultimate Accomplishment. This is the hall where people offer their reverence to Confucius. Various emperors had personally written tablets to Confucius to be hanged here. One written by Emperor Kangxi says: The Eternal Mentor.
Following a thousand-year-old imperial tradition, Emperor Kangxi offer sacrifices to Confucius every year. The emperor would chair a series of imperial rites with the height being a grand dance performed by 64 dancers. The dance was only performed to pay tribute to the most important imperial ancestors. Throughout Chinese history, few figures who were not royals enjoyed such an honor as Confucius did.
Also under the roof are shrines of accomplished Confucius disciples who had helped to bring Confucius doctrine to people in all around the country.
There are many prime hotels in Beijing nearthe Confucian temple, some only a few minutes away by walk. See some of the best hotels in Beijing here.
