The Confucius Temple is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Shanghai. But what’s its purpose and raison d’être? Worshiping in Shanghai can assume very different facets. For a start, there is this sanctuary devoted to Confucius. And although his philosophy is to be admired and studied, he’s not really a god. However, in China, far from being a clerical state, they use the word “temple” with a wider meaning.
I loved it and would recommend without hesitation a visit to the Confucian Temple to whoever goes to Shanghai.
Visiting Confucius Temple in Shanghai
The beautiful Confucius Temple situated in Wen Miao Road (Wen Miao Lu, 文庙路), in Huangpu District, not far from Xintiandi, was founded with the purpose of studying Confucius philosophy. Moved to four different locations, in 1855 it finally ended up where it is now.
The temple is very big. Each of its areas is devoted to different activities: worshiping, studying, and completely immersing in nature surrounded by the typical Chinese gardening style.
In China everything is possible. So also every religion is possible, as long as it stays such, a religion, without the possibility to interfere in political matters. The most widespread creed is Buddhism, and the country is studded with temples.
History and Purpose of a Confucius Temple In Shanghai
Confucius’ philosophy has had and still has, a great influence on Chinese mentality and civilization. I’m a big fan of Confucius myself. I think his theories of constant contact with nature are among the most powerful and important men can follow in order to respect and preserve the planet. Hence a visit to a sanctuary devoted to him was for me absolutely a pleasure.
Built between 1292 and 1296 under the Yuan Dinasty, the purpose of Shanghai’s Confucian Temple was not only to worship the great philosopher but also to study and research his theories. In a period when the whole city was developing and becoming an important hub from a humble fishing village, the Confucian Temple became one of the main study centers in Shanghai.
Both during the Taiping Rebellion in the mid-19th century and the ten years of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), the Confucian Temple was heavily damaged. Its reconstruction was finalized and made official in 1999, in honor of the sage’s 2550th birthday.
I Visited Shanghai’s Confucian Temple
After passing the main gate, visitors find themselves in a wide courtyard before the temple itself. At the entrance of the temple, there is a big statue of Confucius along with a small area where they perform functions such as daily prayers, special festivities, funerals, or remembrance celebrations.
Inside, they decorated it with ancient (or ancient-looking) drums and traditional Chinese characters cover the walls. The worship area is just in front of another Confucius statue, with the typical cushion for the worshipers to kneel. It doesn’t really look like the typical Buddhist temple such as the heavily-decorated Jade Buddha Temple, also in Shanghai. I found it more modest, and definitely not with all the amount of flowers, fruits, and food, in general, I saw in other Chinese temples like in ZhouZhuang water town. That’s probably because it has always been only partly a temple, but more like a place for studying.
Facing the main temple, on your right-hand side, you will see the entrance to the part devoted to scholars and researchers, an area with the unmissable lake and pagoda to inspire peace and tranquility.The complex is a charming sequence of gates, pavilions, courtyards, pagodas, and luscious gardens. I loved browsing around the different halls, stumbling on statues, carvings, natural rocks in proper Chinese style, and traditional paintings.
How To Reach And Entrance Fee To Shanghai Confucius Temple
Address: 215, Wenmiao Road.
How to reach:It might be a little hard to find as Wen Miao Road is a very small street off the bigger South Xizang Road (Xi Zang Nan Lu, 西藏南路), but definitely worth it. The nearest metro station is Loaximen (老西门) on line 10 and it’s in a very central and vibrant area.
Entrance fee: 10 yuan.
Visiting hours: Every day 9 am-4.30 pm.
STUPENDO!
Grazie!
Finalement je peux laisser le commentaire: encore bravo!
Merci mamine :)
I was in Shanghai earlier this year and missed this. It’s such a big city, and there’s so much to do without enough time. I guess that means I’ll have to go back. The photos remind me a little of the gardens in Suzhou.
Yes, Chinese gardening style is similar all over the country, it always comes from their belief that rocks are a gift from nature, so they are left as they are found.
I spent three weeks in Shanghai and missed this. This reminds me of how green that area is, and how colorful the buildings!
It’s easy to miss it, actually, it’s in a very small road, but next time you go to Shanghai make sure you make it to the temple, it’s worth a visit :)
After reading your article, I would definitely make it a point to visit the Confucian Temple. Your article is really very interesting about Confucius and historical background. The temple looks quite beautiful, too.
It was beautiful, but the Confucian philosophy is really interesting, and it’s interesting also to see how the Chinese believe in it and put in into practice, I might write a post all about Confucius…
Absolute pleasure to be amidst such serenity and stillness and I loved the interpretation too :)
Thanks, glad you liked it :)
What a nice little treasure you found here. Its certainly looks more peaceful and serene than the Shanghai I experienced. I especially love the photo of the traditional temple with the beautiful garden contrasted by the taller high rises. Its very Shanghai.
True, also in Jing’An Temple you can see the contrast between old and new very well. The Confucian Temple is very peaceful, in line with the sage’s philosophy, which I find very fascinating.
From the pictures it looks so beautiful and tranquil. I have always found Confucius very interesting. I think I might add going here to my bucket list. Great article.
I too like Confucius, by all means visit his temple if you go to Shanghai.
There is confucian temple because originally it was a religion. He is not God, but he believed in monotheistic God called Tian (Heaven), and for many he is the teacher of Heaven’s ways…a messenger, you might say.
Abraham was not God, but holy for jews. Mohammed was not God, but holy for muslims.
Kong Fuzi taught us the wisdom of Heaven, and under his religous teachings, implemented later, great governance was achieved. That made him sacred.
people need to stop considering confucianism simply a philosophy. i am a religious confucian and it annoys me that westerners don’t understand it really isn’t just philosphy.
Thanks for stopping by and clarifying things up, although I don’t think comparison with Abraham and Mohammad is appropriate, I think they are quite different concepts. Also, since I’ve always considered Confucianism a philosophy, one of my very favorite I must say, I’ve asked Chinese people when I was in China and they told me it’s a philosophy, that’s probably the source of my confusion. I thought I could compare it to Buddhism, which many people think it’s a religion but when I asked Buddhist monks in Thailand just last week they confirmed that Buddhism is not a religion but a way of life.