A Temple Dedicated to Confucius, built in the Northern Song Dynasty, is a thousand-year-old sacred site for worshipping Confucius. The existing architectural complex covers over 300 acres and showcases the essence of Confucian ritualism through a central axis layout. The Lingxing Gate, Kuiwen Pavilion, and Da Cheng Hall form the main axis, with the Da Cheng Hall featuring 28 golden pillars supporting a statue of Confucius, and the stone steps before the hall symbolizing “step by step advancement.” The Xingtan Relics site is planted with ancient cypresses, said to be where Confucius taught, with the tree trunks twisted like dragons and the bark mottled like ancient texts. The inscription group contains inscriptions from the Tang, Song, and Republic of China dynasties, with the Ming Dynasty’s “Confucius’ Sacred Sites” stone carving being the most representative, vividly recreating Confucius’ travels through the states.
