Red walls, blue glazed tiles, green trees, wooden architecture - you can never get enough of Taiyuan Confucian Temple!

Attractions: 1. The Taiyuan Confucian Temple was strictly built according to the architectural system of the Qufu Confucian Temple. The existing buildings are wooden structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties, making it one of the larger and better-preserved Confucian temples in Shanxi Province. 2. The glazed tile screen walls and brick walls are very beautiful, especially when paired with the red walls and green trees, giving off an ancient and traditional vibe. 3. It is also home to the Shanxi Archaeological Museum, which currently has 5 temporary exhibitions, showcasing a variety of cultural relics and collections. Recommended visit duration: 2-4 hours, take your time to enjoy the exhibitions! Location: No. 3, Taiyuan Confucian Temple Alley, Yingze District, Taiyuan City Ticket information: 1. 30 yuan per person 2. Free with Taiyuan 'Tourism All-in-One Card', free for children under 1.2 meters, free for seniors over 60, military personnel, disabled persons, police officers, and medical staff with valid ID, students enjoy discounts. 3. The third Wednesday of each month is a free admission day (valid ID required for registration). Business hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 (entry stops at 16:00) Transportation tips: Bus: Take bus no. 25 or 105 to Wuyi Road Bridge Head Street and walk, or take bus no. 820 to Wuyi East Street and walk. Self-driving: There are a few parking spaces nearby. Tips: 1. In summer, be mindful of heatstroke and sun protection, though it's cooler inside the ancient buildings. 2. Keep your voice down when viewing the exhibitions. 3. Do not damage any cultural relics, ancient trees, etc. It is everyone's responsibility to protect cultural heritage. Upon entering the first courtyard I have a fascination with red-walled ancient buildings, so I came to the Taiyuan Confucian Temple. The Taiyuan Confucian Temple was originally built in the seventh year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Song Dynasty (982) and the existing structures were rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty. Facing south, the layout includes, from south to north, the screen wall, hexagonal pavilions, Lingxing Gates, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, east and west wing rooms, and the Chongshengci, arranged in a three-courtyard layout. The Taiyuan Confucian Temple was strictly built according to the architectural system of the Qufu Confucian Temple and is one of the larger and better-preserved Confucian temples in Shanxi Province. The magnificent palace walls at the entrance, the screen wall, in the center of which is inlaid with a square glazed tile with a pattern of flowing clouds, sea water, and twin dragons playing with a pearl, made of yellow, blue, and green glazed tiles. The Lingxing Gates are built on a high stone platform, with two blue-background gold-lettered plaques under the eaves on both sides, inscribed with the three characters 'Lingxing Gate' in regular and seal script. The walls between the three Lingxing Gates are inlaid with four green glazed dragons, each with a different shape, showing exquisite craftsmanship. To the east and west of the Lingxing Gates, there are two hexagonal pavilions, originally remnants of the Chongshan Temple, built in the fourteenth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1381). The pavilion bodies are wooden column and beam structures. Entering through the Lingxing Gates, the first things that catch the eye are the Pan Pool, Pan Bridge, and Dacheng Gate. The Dacheng Gate is the second gate of the Taiyuan Confucian Temple, with the main gate in the center and side gates on both sides. The side halls have exhibitions, and the cultural relics on display are worth taking a closer look at, highly recommended! Second courtyard Past the Dacheng Gate is the second courtyard. The central building here is the Dacheng Hall. It is seven bays wide and four bays deep, with a single-eave hipped-gable roof, glazed tile edges, heavy brackets, and a majestic presence. The hall once housed the wooden spirit tablets of Confucius, his four associates, and twelve philosophers, but it is currently under renovation, so it is not possible to enter. Around the back of the Dacheng Hall, there is a stone inscription in the center, which is quite unique. The courtyard houses ancient trees, stone carvings, large bells, and other cultural relics from different eras, all very precious. The glazed Taiyuan Confucian Temple is a major feature, not only with glazed screen walls and brick walls but also with glazed roofs and mythical creatures. Each building's glazed mythical creatures are different, some looking particularly majestic. Third courtyard The last courtyard is the Chongshengci, consisting of the Chongsheng Gate, Chongsheng Hall, and east and west side halls, forming a separate courtyard complex. The Chongshengci is where Confucius' ancestors were worshipped, and it is said that later the tablet of Confucius' wife was also moved here for worship. The side halls have been converted into exhibition halls according to the nature of the museum, with exhibitions currently on display.