Temple of Confucius

The Temple of Confucius stands on the site of Confucius's house, which the Duke of Lu made a shrine soon after his death in 479 BC. Emperor Gao of the Han offered sacrifices there in 205 BC, setting an imperial precedent.

The original house was replaced during a Sui rebuilding of 611; after a fire of 1214 under the Jin, the Yuan had restored the complex by 1302, and in 1331 it was enclosed by walls modelled on the imperial palace. The Ming rebuilding after another fire in 1499 gave the temple its scale, its nine courtyards and great Dacheng Hall echoing the Forbidden City.

Qing repairs following the fire of 1724 were completed by 1730. Together with the Kong Family Mansion and the Cemetery of Confucius, the temple drew scholars and officials to venerate the master and his teachings.