Discover the charm of Hancheng, hidden in the alley is the first Confucian temple of Shaanxi

Many posts about the Hancheng Confucian Temple, including Baidu Baike, claim that it is the 'third largest Confucian temple in the country', only after the Imperial College in Beijing and the Confucius Temple in Qufu. This title is indeed prestigious, but I haven't found any confirmation elsewhere, and based on my experience, this statement seems a bit exaggerated. However, there is no doubt that the Hancheng Confucian Temple is the most intact Confucian temple existing in Shaanxi, and calling it 'the first in Shaanxi' is not a big problem. The Hancheng Confucian Temple currently has four courtyards and twenty-two buildings, combining the styles of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties in one temple. The central axis from south to north is sequentially distributed with the screen wall, Lingxing Gate, Pan Pool, Ji Gate, Dacheng Hall, Minglun Hall, and Zunjing Pavilion. The buildings are mostly decorated with glazed tiles, flying eaves and arches, colorful paintings, and relief sculptures, which are dazzling to behold. The main hall, Dacheng Hall, is five bays wide and three bays deep, with a clear and well-structured interior. The structure and the columns of the corridor are fitted with large plaques, reducing two eave columns, commonly known as 'three in light and five in shadow', a traditional construction method that uses both traditional and large plaque structures, which is a typical architectural style of the Yuan dynasty. The Hancheng Confucian Temple, together with the Dongying Temple and the City God Temple, form the Hancheng City Museum. The three temples together make up the most exquisite part of the ancient city, and one ticket allows entry to all three temples. For ancient architecture enthusiasts, visiting the three temples is enough for an afternoon. Location: Dongxue Alley, Old City, Hancheng City, Weinan, Shaanxi Province Ticket: Adult ticket 50 RMB/person, 10% off on holidays, free for special groups Opening hours: 08:00-18:00, no reservation needed