Xingcheng Confucius Temple – A Historic Landmark in Huludao, Liaoning

Xingcheng Confucius Temple, also known as the Confucius Temple, is located at the southeast corner of the ancient city of Xingcheng and shares the same age with the city. The temple is divided into three courtyards, surrounded by high walls. On the southern ends of the eastern and western walls, there are side doors, with the eastern one called Xicui Gate and the western one called Guande Gate. In the middle of the southern wall, there is a screen wall standing together with the wall.

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There are dismounting steles at the corners of the east and west. Upon entering through the corner doors, one arrives at the first courtyard of the Confucius Temple, which is square-shaped. To the south of the courtyard stands a screen wall, and to the north, there is a prominent wooden structure gate called Lingxing Gate, featuring a four-column, three-opening, three-story design with multiple dougong brackets.

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The three large characters ‘Lingxing Gate’ on the middle beam are written in blue on gold, with a powerful and vigorous stroke, highlighting the characteristics of the Confucius Temple. On both sides of the Lingxing Gate, there are peculiar garden moon gates, and on the left and right sides, there are two pavilions, each originally housing three stone tablets. After passing through the Lingxing Gate, one enters the second courtyard.

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In the center of the courtyard stands a Zhuangyuan Bridge, with an arched bridge hole underneath, spanning over the pool of water. The bridge is flanked by white marble carved railings, exquisitely shaped and meticulously crafted, captivating to visitors. Slightly to the north of the bridge, there was originally an independent flower wall crossing the courtyard, with three worship halls facing south in each courtyard, the east being the Hometown Sage Hall and the west being the Eminent Officials Hall.

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Behind the bridge, there is a Jimei Gate standing on a high platform in the center of the courtyard. At the southern end of the courtyard, there are east and west wing rooms, which are the Changing Pavilion and the Sacrificial Utensil Storage, respectively. The opening hours are from 08:00 to 16:00 all year round.

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