Qinhuai Lanterns, Confucius's House——A Complete Guide to Visiting Confucius Temple in Nanjing 🏮✨

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 Nanjing Confucius Temple, located on the north bank of the Qinhuai River in the ancient capital of Nanjing, is one of the four major Confucian temples in China and a symbol of the interweaving of Jinling culture and urban prosperity. This place is not only a place dedicated to the great sage Confucius, but also one of the most prosperous commercial centers in Nanjing since the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Feel the atmosphere of Confucianism during the day, and stroll along the Qinhuai River at night, admire the swaying lights, and taste the authentic Nanjing flavor. 📍 Overview of Confucius Temple 📌 Address: Confucius Temple Pedestrian Street, Qinhuai District, Nanjing 📌 Opening hours: Open all day (some internal attractions such as Jiangnan Gongyuan require tickets to visit) 📌 Tickets: Pedestrian Street is free, some attractions sell tickets separately (about ￥20-50) 📌 Best time to visit: The weather is pleasant in spring and autumn, and the lantern festival is particularly spectacular during the Lantern Festival 🏛️ Explore ancient sites: Confucius Temple and Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall The Confucius Temple was first built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is one of the largest Confucius Temples in Chinese history. Walking in the square in front of the temple, you can see the statue of Confucius standing there. The "Dacheng Hall" in the temple is solemn and dignified, showing the ancient scholars' reverence for Confucianism. The Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall, adjacent to the Confucius Temple, was the largest imperial examination center in the country during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and produced countless talents. When you walk into the Imperial Examination Hall, you can seem to hear the sounds of former examinees writing furiously, and feel the scholarly atmosphere of a thousand years ago. 🌉 Cruise along the Qinhuai River at night and experience the golden age of the Six Dynasties 🚤 Take a pleasure boat: Visitors can take a pleasure boat and cruise along the Qinhuai River at night to enjoy the brilliant lights on both sides of the river (tickets are about ￥60-120). 🏮 Qinhuai Lantern Festival: During the Spring Festival and Lantern Festival every year, the Confucius Temple area is decorated with colorful lanterns, as if traveling back to the heyday of ancient Jinling. 🎭 Street artist performances: Traditional folk art performances such as Pingtan, face changing, and acrobatics are often seen on the pedestrian street, adding to the fun of the tour. 🍜 Food recommendation: Eight unique Qinhuai delicacies and authentic snacks Confucius Temple Snack Street is a famous food gathering place in Nanjing. The following are not to be missed: 🍥 Duck blood vermicelli soup —— Fresh and fragrant, a representative snack in Nanjing 🥮 Salted duck - thin skin, tender meat, unique flavor 🍡 Plum Blossom Cake - Exquisite shape and delicate taste 🥢 Jinling Shaobing - crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, full of traditional flavor In time-honored restaurants such as "Qinhuai Renjia" or "Yongheyuan", you can taste the authentic Qinhuai Eight Specialties, such as crab roe soup dumplings, tofu cold noodles, assorted tofu pudding, etc. 🛍️ Special souvenirs 🔖 Confucius Temple cultural and creative products: such as "The Analects" books, Confucius statue pendants, etc., suitable for collection by art lovers. 🍵 Yuhua Tea: A specialty of Nanjing, the tea soup is clear and has a long aftertaste. 🎭 Nanjing Clay Figurines: Handmade colored sculptures, lifelike, with a strong Nanjing local flavor. 💡 Tips for visiting ✔ Avoid peak hours: There are a lot of people during holidays, so it is recommended to avoid peak hours or go on weekdays. ✔ Best experience for night tour: The night view of Qinhuai River is dazzling, so it is recommended to start the tour in the evening. ✔ Beware of scams: There is a strong commercial atmosphere around Confucius Temple. Pay attention to prices when shopping to avoid being ripped off. 🎯 Conclusion Nanjing Confucius Temple is not only a holy place of Confucianism, but also a historical and cultural district full of the flavor of life. During the day, you can feel the thousand-year-old cultural heritage in the Confucius Temple and Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall. After nightfall, you can immerse yourself in the lights and flowing lights on the banks of the Qinhuai River. Whether you are a culture lover or a food explorer, this place can satisfy your expectations! 🌟