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Shanghai Confucius Temple (Wen Miao)

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Shanghai Confucius Temple is located in the old city proper with a long history of about 700 years. Though not famous as the Qufu Confucius Temple, Beijing Confucius Temple  or that in Pingyao, Shanghai Confucius Temple (Wen Miao) has already become the only historic construction complex in commemoration of Confucius in China.

The location was moved four times until it was finally erected at its current location at No. 215 Wenmiao Road in Huangpu District. As there were totally 279 scholars of the county-level who passed the imperial exam for selecting Jinshi during Yuan (1271 - 1368), Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties, it was then considered as the cradle of talents. The construction complex is perfectly laid out full of national characteristic. The temple served as Shanghai's highest institution of learning for several centuries. 

The renovation and development of the temple has added much educational and cultural color to the landscapes of Shanghai. It is the sanctuary to cultivate the mind and pay respect to Confucius culture.    

There are two distinct north-south vertical paths in the temple. The first path is the line for worshipping or sacrifice-offering, which stretches from the southern Lingxing Gate, the main public entrance on Wen Miao Road, through the Dacheng Gate to the main building, the Dacheng Hall. Beside those structures are a series of buildings designated for souvenir shops and halls containing Ming and Qing tablets. 

The other path is the Xuegong Gate at the southern gate. It was historically open to the scholar who passed the exam of the national level. It is a line stretching from Study Gate, Etiquette Gate, to Minglun Hall and finally reaches Zunjing Pavilion. Etiquette Gate is exclusively open to those who dressed elegantly and properly. You will see Minglun Hall further to the north of this path. Formerly function as the lecture hall; it is now a museum for root carvings. Zunjing Pavilion is to the north of Minglun Hall. In the past, it was used to collect the diversified volumes of Confucius Classics, but now it has become an exhibition hall of fanciful Ling Bi stones from Anhui province. Shanghai Confucius Temple sets the stage for the further exploration of Chinese history and culture. Teapots, queer stones are exhibited here at certain time. The serial exhibition of complete Analects, couplets created in Ming and Qing Dynasties, Shanghai Jinshi, reflect the ideology of Chinese traditional culture, extend the cultural connotation of Confucius Temple, and also inherit Confucianism.

When it comes to Sunday, the temple becomes very lively because the book fair on the square of Dacheng Hall attract many book lovers. It has been the pleasure ground for the bookworms ever since it was founded 18 years ago. It is also the rich warehouse to offer the spiritual nourishment for people. In addition, the book trade fair in Shanghai Wen Temple has become the important channel for book wholesaling. 

As the only Confucian temple in Shanghai, it also serves as a quiet retreat in the midst of an active and bustling old town neighborhood. The nearby areas are also worth your attention.  

 Entrance Fee: CNY 10

 Opening Hours: 09:00 - 16:45

 Transportation: 
A. Take Bus No. 11, 18, 23, 24, 135, 135 (Through), 220, 304, 318, 324, 451, 537, 715, 736, 775, 781, 782, 783, 789, 911, 920, 930, 969, Aiport Shuttle Bus No. 6 or Fang-Chuan Special Line and get off at Laoximen stop;
B. Take Subway Line 8 or 10 and get off at Laoximen station.

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