[2025 Yuanping Attraction] Travel Guide for Guoyang Confucian Temple (Updated May)

The old city of Gangyang is located in Gangyang Town, Yuanping County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. Gangyang Town was the seat of the former Gang County. In the third year of Yuanding in the Western Han Dynasty (114 BC), Yuanping County was established. In the second year of Yongxing in the Northern Wei Dynasty (410 AD), Yuanping County was renamed Shicheng County. In the tenth year of Kaihuang in the Sui Dynasty (590 AD), Shicheng County was abolished and Pingkou County was moved from the present-day Dingxiang County to Gangyang Town. In the second year of the Sui Dynasty (606 AD), Pingkou County was renamed Gang County. In December 1958, Gang County was renamed Yuanping County, and the county seat was moved to Yuanping Town. In 1993, Yuanping was changed from a county to a city. As the county seat for more than 1,300 years, the old city of Gangyang has a long history and cultural heritage. It still has national key cultural relics protection sites such as the Gangyang Confucian Temple and Puji Bridge, as well as several city gates. Regarding the old city of Gang County, the Ming Jiajing edition of "Gang County Chronicles" records: "The foundation is grand, the gates and alleys are still there, and the current city government is in its western corner." The Qing Dynasty county chronicles briefly describe: "It was built at the end of the Yongjia period of Emperor Huai of Jin Dynasty, facing Tuoshui River in the east and spanning the current city in the west. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Chahan Zhiyuan built its western corner due to the division of the old city." Today, the north gate "Ningyuan" and the south gate "Jingming" city gates remain. Although the city walls are no longer as strong as they used to be, they are still simple and solemn, showing the glory of the past. Ticket information: Free Opening hours: All day Transportation information: Drive 18 kilometers north from Yuanping City to arrive.

The low-key Guoyang Town, an uncommercialized pure land|||🔻Guoyang Town is located about 18 kilometers north of Yuanping City in Shanxi. This place was established as a county during the Northern Dynasties and was named Guo County during the Sui Dynasty. It remained a small core of the surrounding area until 1959, when the county seat was moved south to the present-day Yuanping, leading to its gradual decline. As a result, Guoyang has preserved many ancient buildings that surpass its status. Additionally, because it is no longer a political and economic center, its development has been slow, and it has not undergone extensive modern renovations. This fortunate circumstance allows us to see these authentic ancient relics. Pujie Bridge, located outside the south gate of Guoyang, was first built in the third year of the Jin Taihe period (1203). Its current appearance likely reflects repairs from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Large vehicles can no longer pass, but pedestrians and electric vehicles can still traverse it. It is listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit in the eighth batch. Guoyang Confucian Temple, first built during the Yuan Dade period, was once very grand. Now, only some buildings along the central axis remain. Unfortunately, it is currently under renovation and not open to the public. One can only glimpse it through climbing walls and various gaps. The Ji Gate is believed to be from the Yuan Dynasty, and the Dacheng Hall from the Ming Dynasty. It is listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit in the eighth batch. Guandi Temple, with its main hall rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty, is well preserved. It is a county-level cultural relic protection unit in Yuanping City. Guoyang City Wall, first built during the Ming Wanli period, now only has a few gates and remnants of walls left. However, the brickwork remains intact and very original. It is a cultural relic protection unit in Xinzhou City. The Catholic Church, built in the thirteenth year of the Republic of China (1924) by Italian priest Gao Yuqian, still has his memorial monument. It is a county-level cultural relic protection unit in Yuanping City. 🔻Shanxi has many ancient cities and towns, such as Xinzhou Ancient City, Yuci Ancient City, and Taiyuan Ancient County, which have been highly commercialized. After renovation, it is often difficult to distinguish between new and old buildings. Guoyang Town, with its many preserved ancient relics and almost no tourists, retains its original flavor and is quite rare. It is well worth a visit.

Guoyang Confucian Temple, originally built during the Yuan Dynasty's Dade period, was renovated during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is one of the few remaining prefectural-level Confucian temples in Shanxi. In 2019, Guoyang Confucian Temple was listed as the eighth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. Guoyang Confucian Temple consists of a three-entry courtyard, facing south. Along the central axis, there are structures such as the screen wall, Lingxing Gate, Pan Pond, Ji Gate, and Dacheng Hall. Due to its distinct and authoritative functions of venerating Confucius, promoting education, and moral cultivation, it has been highly revered by countless scholars. The existing Dacheng Hall is a relic from the Ming Dynasty, while the other buildings are from the Qing Dynasty. 🌈Highlights: ✅ The temple houses one stele from the Yuan Dynasty and six steles from the Qing Dynasty. The architectural layout reflects the educational features of rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics, making it a sacred place of Confucianism in Yuanping's history. ✅ The Dacheng Hall has a width of seven bays and a depth of five bays, reaching a height of over five zhang. It features a single-eave hip-and-gable roof covered with yellow, green, blue, and white glazed tiles. The hall's two ends have double flying eaves, with dense dougong brackets, exuding grandeur. The hall doors are made of 20 carved panel doors, intricately decorated with patterns of plum blossoms, mugwort leaves, crabapple flowers, and lanterns, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. ✅ The paifang-style Lingxing Gate has a wooden plaque inscribed with the words 'Sacred Gate' on the back. It has eaves on both sides, with five bays and six pillars supporting the top. Stone pillars are placed in front and behind the wooden columns, with diagonal struts for support. The purlins are layered, with six extended dougong brackets, and the five tops are covered with multicolored glazed tiles, presenting a unique and grand structure. 🎫Ticket: Free 🚗Transportation: Navigate 🧭 and drive by yourself