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[[Image:BeijingConfuciusTemple2.jpg|thumb|Beijing Confucius Temple]]
[[File:Beijing-Kongmiao.JPG|thumb|Statue of Confucius]]
[[File:BeijingConfuciusTemple7.jpg|thumb|upright|Stone tablet on the back of a [[bixi]], inside the Confucius Temple]]
'''Beijing Temple of Confucius''' ({{zh|s=北京孔庙|t=北京孔廟|p=Běijīng Kǒngmiào}}) is the second-largest [[Confucian temple]] in [[China]], after [[Temple of Confucius, Qufu|the one]] in Confucius's hometown of [[Qufu]].

==History==
The Temple of Confucius in [[Beijing]] was built in 1302 during the reign of [[Temür Khan|Temür]] (Emperor Chengzong) of the [[Yuan dynasty]]. The compound was enlarged twice, once during the [[Ming dynasty]] and again during the [[Qing dynasty]]; it now occupies roughly {{convert|20000|m2|sp=us}}. Until the [[1911 Revolution|Xinhai Revolution]], imperial officials of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties hosted ceremonies to pay their formal respects to Confucius in the temple. From 1981 until 2005,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060419202124/http://www.btmbeijing.com/contents/en/btm/2006-01/whatshot/capitalmuseumgetsmodernlook Capital Museum Gets Modern Look]}}</ref> the Temple of Confucius also housed part of the art collection of the [[Capital Museum]]. It stands on [[Guozijian Street]] near the [[Guozijian (Beijing)|Imperial Academy]].

==Grounds==
The complex includes four courtyards aligned along a central axis. From south to north, noteworthy structures include the Gate of the Late Master ({{lang|zh|先师门}}, ''Xianshimen''), the Gate of Great Accomplishment ({{lang|zh|大成门}}, ''Dachengmen''), the Hall of Great Accomplishment ({{lang|zh|大成殿}}, ''Dachengdian''), and the Hall for Admiration of the Sage ({{lang|zh|崇圣祠}}, ''Chongshengci'').<ref name="travel">[http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/beijing/confucius.htm Beijing Confucius Temple.  Travel China Guide.]</ref>  Inside the temple, there are 198 stone tablets positioned on either side of the front courtyard, recording the names of more than 51,624 ''[[Jinshi (imperial examination)|jinshi]]''s (advanced scholars) of the [[Yuan dynasty|Yuan]], Ming and Qing dynasties. There are also 14 stone stele pavilions of the Ming and Qing dynasties that hold various historical documents from late imperial China.<ref name="travel"/>

There is set of carved stone drums (reproducing [[Western Zhou dynasty|early Zhou]] models) made during the reign of the Qing's [[Qianlong Emperor]] (1735–96). These are held within the Gate of Great Accomplishment. There is also a large collection of ancient Chinese musical instrument held in the Hall of Great Perfection, along with the central shrine to Confucius.<ref>[https://www.fodors.com/world/asia/china/beijing/review-137231.html Confucius Temple]</ref>

There are various carvings inside the temple ground. One notable example is a famous carving of "two flying dragons playing with a pearl among the clouds"; the image is rare among Confucius temples since it was often reserved for emperors.<ref name="travel"/> The temple also contains stone [[stele]]s containing the [[Thirteen Confucian Classics]], presented to the temple by the city of [[Jintan]] in [[Jiangsu Province]].

The temple has many old trees, including one [[cypress tree]] known as the "Touch-Evil Cypress" ({{lang|zh|触奸柏}}, ''Chujianbai'') that has been made famous by folklore through the ages. Its name derives from a Ming－era story that, when a notoriously corrupt official was passing by, the tree knocked off his hat. Afterwards people imaginated this particular tree could distinguish between good and evil.<ref name="travel"/>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Beijing Temple of Confucius}}
* [http://www.drben.net/ChinaReport/Beijing/Landmarks-Hotspots/DongCheng/Confucius_Temple/Confucius_Temple-Main.html Full Virtual Walk & Info on Confucius Temple, Beijing]
{{Old Beijing}}
{{Dongcheng District, Beijing}}
{{Coord|39.94511|116.40831|format=dms|type:landmark_region:CN-11|display=title}}

[[Category:Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in Beijing]]
[[Category:Confucian temples in China]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in Beijing]]
[[Category:1302 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Dongcheng District, Beijing]]
[[Category:14th-century establishments in China]]
[[Category:14th-century Confucian temples]]