Beijing - Confucius Temple Kong Miao

Immediately to the west of the Lama Temple, in a side alley spanned by ornamental gates, you get to the Confucius Temple. It was built in 1302 and restored in 1411. The great philosopher and teacher Confucius had a decisive influence on Chinese philosophy; his teachings dominated public and private life throughout centuries. This temple is one of the best known Confucius temples. Elaborate ceremonies to honor Confucius used to take place here in the 2nd and 8th months of the Chinese calendar, always before dawn break, under the leadership of the emperor or his deputy. The forecourt harbors 198 steles with inscriptions naming all 51,624 Confucian scholars who after 1416 successfully passed the highest examinations of the state until these were abolished in 1904.