Daixian Confucius Temple

Shanxi


Raised in the Tang dynasty and restored in the Ming, this serene Confucius Temple features gateway arches with striking green glazed tiles, shapely centuries-old trees, and ornate caisson ceilings (藻井, zǎojǐng). In the garden, a Confucius statue stands cloaked in red before yellow school desks on which worshippers have left gifts of candies and apricots. On the alter of the main hall, huge buns fashioned into the heads of Chinese zodiac animals are offered to the sage.

Buses (two to three hours; ¥38) depart daily for Daixian from Datong Bus Station and Datong South Bus Station. The Confucius Temple is 60m to the right of Daixian Bus Station.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Shanxi attractions

1. Bianjing Drum Tower

0.33 MILES

Smack in the centre of Daixian old town, this 14th-century drum tower will make up for all the times you felt let down by faux ancient towers or authentic…

2. Nanchan Temple

26.29 MILES

This very quiet temple near Dongye (东冶) contains a strikingly beautiful Great Buddha Hall that dates to 782, making it the most ancient surviving timber…

3. Foguang Temple

27.2 MILES

This temple's main hall dates to 857 and contains a statue of Sakyamuni surrounded by other colourful statues with 296 arhat (罗汉, luóhàn) in the flanks…