Introduction to the Confucian Temple in Deyang

The Confucian Temple in Deyang, Sichuan, was originally built during the Southern Song Dynasty, with the remaining buildings dating back to the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. It is second only to the Confucian Temples in Qufu, Shandong, and Beijing. The Deyang Confucian Temple is known for being one of the most well-preserved, grand, and regionally characteristic Confucian temples in Western China, earning it the nickname 'The Foremost Confucian Temple in Western Sichuan.' In June 2001, it was declared a national key cultural relic protection site by the State Council. The Deyang Confucian Temple covers an area of 20,800 square meters and includes more than 20 ancient buildings. The temple faces south with a north-south central axis and a symmetrical layout of three courtyards and four compounds. The architectural plan centers around the Dacheng Hall, with a central axis running from south to north. Along this axis, from south to north, are the following: the imposing wall (Panchi), the Lingxing Gate, the Pan Pool, the Pan Bridge, the Ji Gate (Dacheng Gate), the Liyue Pavilion, the Dacheng Hall, and the Qisheng Hall. On both sides are the 'Dao Crowned Through the Ages,' 'Virtue Matched with Heaven and Earth,' the east and west cloisters, the east and west stele pavilions, and the east and west side halls. In front of the temple is the Confucian Temple Square, and to the north is the rear garden. Mr. Liang Sicheng, a renowned expert on ancient architecture, commented after inspecting the Deyang Confucian Temple: 'The Deyang Confucian Temple's architecture has a strong regional character.' Mr. Luo Zhewen, another expert on ancient architecture, believes: 'The Deyang Confucian Temple is large in scale, well-preserved, and its features are very prominent, which is rare in the country.'