Kunming Confucian Temple

The Confucian Temple in Kunming was first built during the Yuan Dynasty, and its location was changed several times. In the 29th year of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1090), it was relocated to its current location at 96 Renmin Middle Road. It was overseen and constructed by Fan Chengxun, the Governor-General of Yunnan-Guizhou, and Wang Jiwen, the Yunnan Governor. The original complex included nearly ten buildings such as the Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, and Chongsheng Hall. In 1941, it was bombed by enemy aircraft, and only the Lingxing Gate stone archway remained from the entire ancient architectural complex. In 1993, it was declared a Kunming Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the Kunming Municipal People's Government. The current Dacheng Hall and others are reconstructions. The Lingxing Gate of the Confucian Temple is a three-door, four-pillar style stone archway, with relief sculptures of coiled dragons embracing the columns between each door, which are exquisitely crafted and vividly depicted. To the left and right are the 'Gate of Courtesy' and the 'Path of Righteousness.' The courtyard is filled with blooming begonias, elegant and serene.