[2025 Zhengzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Zhengzhou Confucian Temple (Updated Apr)

Fanjiamen in Zhengzhou, a hidden paradise tucked away from the city's hustle and bustle, stands as a shining jewel in the Central Plains, boasting rustic elegance and rich cultural heritage. Stepping into this enchanting village, you'll be greeted by a picturesque scene of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, with rows of houses adorned with dark gray tiles and elegant upturned eaves, whispering tales of the thousand-year-old merchant capital's prosperous past. Strolling along the flagstone streets, you'll find shops lining both sides, filling the air with the spicy aroma of Hu La Tang and the rich fragrance of Hui Mian noodles. The time-honored He Ji Hui Mian restaurant serves a mutton bone broth as white as milk, paired with chewy handmade noodles, a true culinary masterpiece. Meanwhile, Ge Ji Men Bing infuses the essence of Henan cuisine into crispy pancakes, creating a savory delight that lingers on the palate. The sweet scent of almond tea wafting from the corner belongs to Lao Cai Ji, a century-old shop renowned for its signature beverage. Ascending to the City God Temple, you can overlook the entire ancient street from between the vermilion-lacquered pillars. As dusk settles, lanterns illuminate one by one, transporting you back in time to a bustling marketplace. Heading west to the Confucian Temple, you'll find the first Zhuangyuan Bell of the Central Plains nestled among lush pines and cypresses. Striking the bell three times is said to bring good luck in imperial examinations. If you visit on the 1st or 15th day of the lunar month, you might encounter the vibrant temple fair and captivating Shehuo performances, where stilt walkers and land boats showcase the vitality of Central Plains folk customs. A highly recommended experience is to visit a teahouse on Dehua Street at dusk, savor a cup of Xinyang Maojian tea, and watch the setting sun gild the gray tiles while the melodious tunes of Erjiaxian opera drift through the air. In this moment, you'll truly grasp the thousand-year-old charm of the saying, "He who controls the Central Plains controls the world." This small village, spanning just three li, seamlessly blends Zhengzhou's vibrant street life with its rich history, inviting you to slow down and savor every moment.

Built during Emperor Ming's Yongping period of Eastern Han Dynasty (58-75 CE), Zhengzhou Confucian Temple is China's second-oldest Confucian temple and a spiritual landmark of this millennium-old commercial capital. Despite multiple war damages, the 2004 restoration preserved core structures like Lingxing Gate, Pan Pool, and Dacheng Hall. Between its red walls and green tiles flows Confucian wisdom that "virtue matches heaven and earth, while the way links ancient and modern." Annual ceremonies like the Confucius Memorial Ceremony and New Year Bell Striking allow modern people to share reverence for the "Teacher of All Ages." 🎢Must-Visit Guide Architectural Exploration: • Lingxing Gate: White marble archway inscribed with "Virtue Matches Heaven and Earth," with "Lingxing Gate" gleaming on the central beam, symbolizing Confucius as the descended God of Literature • Pan Pool Status Bridge: Single-arch stone bridge over a crescent-shaped pool; scholars once crossed it hoping to "top the imperial examinations," now perfect for Forbidden City-style red wall reflections • Dacheng Hall: Qing Dynasty building with glazed tiles and hip-and-gable roof, housing Confucius statue with Four Sages and Twelve Philosophers under the "Teacher of All Ages" plaque, featuring exquisite bracket and painting craftsmanship Cultural Experiences: • Six Arts Learning Hall: Interactive experiences of the gentlemanly arts through guqin playing, calligraphy practice, and more • Confucius Exhibition: Illustrated stories of Confucius's travels, featuring Liu Chunlin's replica imperial examination paper • Sacred Brick Carvings: 22 high-relief brick carvings depicting Confucius's life, known as "comic strips carved in stone" 🍜Food Recommendations • Fang Zhongshan Hulatang: Beef soup with fried bread, new "mild-spicy friendly version" in 2025, queue before 7:30am • Ge's Braised Pork with Pancakes: Intangible cultural heritage, tender braised pork with thousand-layer pancakes, ¥25/person • Old Cai's Steamed Dumplings: Time-honored brand, crescent-shaped dumplings, wonton in chicken soup, ¥15/person 🏨Accommodation Options • City Comfort Hotel: 500m from temple, free laundry service, standard room ¥180/night • FY Boutique Hotel: Direct access via subway line 3, elegant rooms ¥220/night, self-service laundry • Yueyue Hotel: Near Zijingshan commercial area, cozy double room ¥150/night, 10-minute walk to temple 💰Tickets and Policies • Free admission: Regular days free, ¥10 during temple fairs • Hours: 8:00-17:00, last entry at 17:00 🚌Transportation Guide • Subway: Exit C/D of Wenming Station on Line 3, 5-minute walk • Bus: Routes 2, 52, 60 to "Zhengzhou Confucian Temple" stop, about 10-minute ride • Driving: Navigate to "Zhengzhou Confucian Temple," public parking lot available on Zhigong Street This thousand-year-old academy hidden in the bustling city tells stories of self-discipline and propriety through its red walls and green tiles. Whether seeking blessings as a student, taking photos in hanfu, or studying culture, everyone can find timeless resonance here.

📖 This is probably the temple with the most students in Zhengzhou. Although its historical scale has been greatly reduced, every examinee in Henan hopes for a little extra luck. 📖 I used to come here often as a child, but this is my first time back since graduation to take photos. The "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate" at the entrance is a bit simple, but almost everyone passes through it. 📖 The trees outside the gate of the Confucius Temple look beautiful. They haven't sprouted yet, but I'm looking forward to what they'll look like in summer. —————— 📍Location: No. 301, Dongda Street, Guancheng District, Zhengzhou 📅Opening Hours: 9:00—17:00 (Free admission) 🚗Transportation: 👉Metro Line 2: Dongda Street, First People's Hospital Station, Exit H 👉Metro Line 3: Zhengzhou Wenmiao Station, Exit B 👉Bus routes 60/G50/S166/89/B32 stop near the entrance. 👉Driving is not recommended. You can park on nearby Zhi Gong Street. —————— 🌟Tour Guide ✅Although rebuilt, it has a history of two thousand years. 👉Zhengzhou Wenmiao Temple was once the second oldest Confucius temple in China, second only to the Confucius Temple in Qufu. After its reconstruction in 2004, its scale was greatly reduced. 👉Although the area is not large, it takes about an hour to tour the temple. The route should start from outside the main gate. 👉Lingxing Gate → Dacheng Gate → Dacheng Hall → Zun Jing Pavilion (You can briefly visit the four exhibition halls on both sides, which contain some cultural relics and text introductions.) ✅The Wenmiao Temple and Chenghuang Temple share the same origin and can be visited together. 👉The Dacheng Hall of Wenmiao Temple and Chenghuang Temple are listed together as the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units. They may have once been one entity. 👉The Dacheng Hall of Wenmiao Temple was rebuilt on the original site. The ruins of the Ming and Qing dynasties are visible through the glass floor. —————— 🚗Nearby Recommendations 1️⃣ Shangcheng Ruins Museum: Across the street. Reservations are required, but you can also exchange your ID card for a ticket on-site. The museum is quite large and the exhibits are worth seeing. 2️⃣ Bodu Xinyi: A pedestrian street next door. It is still under construction and was only open during the New Year's Day holiday. It should not be open to the public yet. 3️⃣ Chenghuang Temple: Walk through Zhi Gong Street to reach it. Nearby is Fuminli Pedestrian Street, which was also newly built in recent years.

Day 1: Check-in at the Sheraton Hotel (Zhengzhou 270 Wanda Zhengshang Yujianmingzhu Branch). 1. Fu Tower (Photo 3,6). The location is nice and we’ve arrived just on time at 18:00 (on time to catch the blue sky tower view and the night view). If you are there, I strongly recommend to buy ticket for the 101 floor! Food: Blue frog restaurant is really great in Zhengzhou, but this time it was closed due to the Spring Festoval Celebrations, so we went to the neighboring Mylk (Italian restaurant). It was AMAZING! Their pastas and pizza is really delicious. Try it! Day 2: 1. Zhengzhou Confucian Temple visit (Photo 4,5). It is nice, quiet and beautiful place. 2. City God Temple visit. It is located close to the previous one, so walk there (around 7 minutes) and enjoy the view! 3. Qianxi Plaza visit (Photo 1). It is great place to observe and to walk. The district is built in the circle, so it is bright and colorful. You can also take a ride on a ferry or drink a cup of warm coffee. Food: Have a lunch or dinner in the Erqi Square (Photo 2). There are many nice restaurants (we’ve chosen Korean BBQ) and street food. Keep warm if you travel in winter and eat more warm nutritious food!💕Enjoy! #zhengzhou #futower

Zhengzhou Confucian Temple! Visit when it snows! Opening hours: 08:00–17:00, last admission at 17:00. Ticket price: Free, CNY 10 during temple fairs. Address: No. 301 Dongdajie, Guancheng Hui District, Zhengzhou, Henan Province. Transportation: Take Metro Line 3 to Zhengzhou Confucian Temple Station, exit from Exit D, and walk about 440 meters. 📍Tour route Enter from Lingxing Gate, and visit Zhuangyuan Bridge, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, East and West Wing Rooms, Well Courtyard, Stele Corridor, and Zunjing Pavilion in order. 📍Attraction introduction Lingxing Gate: The starting point of the central axis of the Confucian Temple, meaning that Confucius is a star from heaven to educate the world. Zhuangyuan Bridge: Walking over this bridge means that you will become the top scorer in the imperial examination. Dacheng Hall: Dedicated to Confucius, the Four Sages, and the Twelve Philosophers, the building is in the ancient "Xieshan" style, with a complex roof structure and exquisite craftsmanship. East and West Wing Rooms: The wing rooms have large brick carvings, telling the story of Confucius traveling around the world to realize his ambitions. Zunjing Pavilion: Also known as the Library Pavilion, it is the tallest building in the Confucian Temple, symbolizing the realm of continuous learning. Stele Corridor: Preserves precious moments from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, recording the history of multiple renovations and reconstructions of the Confucian Temple.

🌈 The Confucian Temple in Zhengzhou was established during the Yongping years of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and it is the second oldest Confucian temple in the country after the one in Qufu. It has experienced multiple fires and restorations, and although its scale is not as grand as before, it remains majestic and solemn. 🏷️ The core structure, the Dacheng Hall, is a hip-and-gable style building. Under the eaves of the hall, the colorful and heavy bracketing is exquisitely crafted and unparalleled. Main attractions include: the Lingxing Gate, Zhuangyuan Bridge, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Prayer Corridor, Well Pavilion, Zunjing Pavilion, and the Stele Corridor, etc. 🕒 Free opening hours: 09:00-17:00 (entry stops at 16:40) ⌚️ Suggested visiting time: 0.5-1h 🔘 The Confucian Temple is not large, and there is a Stele Corridor with various exquisite crafts on the right side of the entrance. 🔘 The square in front of the Confucian Temple's entrance is very large and has a century-old national scholar tree. 🔘 Recommended joint visit: Dongchengyuan Ruins Museum ➡️ Confucian Temple ➡️ Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty Ruins Museum (the reverse order is also feasible, as they are all in the same area)

Zhengzhou Confucian Temple was once the oldest, most extensive, and largest ancient architectural complex in Zhengzhou. According to the 'Zhengzhou Records' compiled during the Ming Dynasty, the Zhengzhou Confucian Temple was established during the Yongping years of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty, making it the second oldest Confucian temple in the country after the one in Qufu. Upon entering the Confucian Temple square, the Lingxing Gate immediately comes into view. As you step through the Lingxing Gate, it signifies that you have entered the spatial domain of the Confucian Temple, and your behavior and demeanor must become dignified, and your expression and attitude must become serious. This may well be the ceremonial sense of 'stepping into the hall'. Crossing the Lingxing Gate, you will see the Pan Bridge (pàn), also known as the Scholar's Bridge or the Ao Bridge. In ancient times, students' enrollment was called 'entering Pan'. 'First rectify your attire and comportment, then understand principles and reasoning.' The entire architectural complex of the Confucian Temple has a clear central axis. There are five courtyards along the central axis, with a rational layout and elegant architecture. There are attractions such as the Lingxing Gate, Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, Zunjing Pavilion, Well Pavilion, side halls, Stele Corridor, and Wishing Plaques. Walking across the Pan Bridge, you officially begin to enter the Confucian Temple. The building directly ahead is called 'Dacheng Gate', and on both sides of the Dacheng Gate, there are two pairs of couplets with gold-embossed characters inscribed on the pillars, which read 'The teachings of Si River multiply, extending endlessly to future generations; the Spring and Autumn periods look up to the brilliant human culture shining over the capital of Shang' and 'Following rites and the way, the Analects educate heaven and earth; the most holy and revered teacher illuminates the past and present'. The architectural form of the Dacheng Hall is the ancient 'Xieshan style', with a complex roof structure and exquisite craftsmanship, truly exceptional. The highest point of the hall is called the 'ridge', and at each end of the ridge, there are 2-meter-high dragon head-shaped components called 'kiss', symbolizing the dragon's control over rainfall, a sign of fire prevention. At the very center of the ridge stands a double-layered tower-like structure, adorned with auspicious ornaments such as qilin and elephants. Zhengzhou Confucian Temple

Coming to Zhengzhou Citywalk, the Zhengzhou Confucian Temple is definitely a must-see. It is the oldest, largest, and most extensive ancient architectural complex in Zhengzhou with a recorded history, dating back over 2000 years. 🎫 Confucian Temple Admission: The Confucian Temple is open to the public for free. No reservation is needed, just enter for free. ⌚️ Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00 (No entry after 17:00) 🚌 Travel Tips: The Zhengzhou Confucian Temple is located on the north side of the eastern section of Dong Dajie, close to the Zhengzhou City God Temple. It's about 350 meters walk from the B exit of the Confucian Temple subway station. 🏫 Architectural Features: The Lingxing Gate is a common structure in the Confucian Temple, usually a wooden or stone archway-style building. The Dacheng Hall is built using the ancient 'Xieshan' architectural style, with layered eaves and soaring ridges, complemented by dragon head components and exquisite painted patterns. ⛩️ Main Attractions: The main structures of the Confucian Temple include the Dacheng Hall, Lingxing Gate, Zunjing Pavilion, Hanjing Well Pavilion, and the Stele Corridor. Among them, the Dacheng Hall is the most important main building of the entire Confucian Temple and is the only remaining building from the late Qing Dynasty. The Zunjing Pavilion is used to store important Confucian classics and various historical books, and it is also the tallest building in the entire Confucian Temple. When I arrived, it was snowing heavily, making it a great place for photography. There are also many local delicacies near the Zhengzhou Confucian Temple, which are worth trying while you're here.

Take great photos at the Zhengzhou Confucius Temple!| Few people, beautiful scenery, and great for shooting. Location: Zhengzhou Confucius Temple Suitable styles: Hanfu, New Chinese style, New Year, etc. Advantages: 1. Few people! Really few, no need to worry about avoiding people and finding angles 2. The venue is relatively large (of course, the temples in the city will not be particularly large) 3. Free, no reservation required.

| It’s not that I can’t afford to go to the Forbidden City, it’s that the Confucian Temple is more cost-effective after the snow. The first snow in 2024 I went to the Confucian Temple in the morning. I also made up for the regret of not having time to take pictures of the Confucian Temple after the last blizzard. Red walls, green tiles, white snow It has a palace flavor. BGM rings in my ears "I had a dream that you grew long hair and we grew up together. old" Night snow clears Green tiles and red eaves White snow and red walls and green tiles are a natural CP Traditional Chinese

I went to Bishagang to take pictures of the ginkgo trees a few days ago. Today, after dinner, I found that the ginkgo trees in the Confucian Temple had also turned yellow. I really like the feeling of red walls, green tiles and golden ginkgo trees together. I remember that the Confucian Temple and the City God Temple were both closed for a long time. Now open Maybe because too few people know about it It's very quiet inside. No one The ginkgo trees in the backyard are suitable for taking photos in a horse-faced skirt The most beautiful season in Zhengzhou has arrived 📍Confucian Temple 🚗: Walk 400 meters from the exit of Dongdajie Station on Metro Line 3 Tickets 🎫 Free

The Confucian Temple in the center of Zhengzhou was once the largest ancient architectural complex in the area. It is now free to open many places in the country have Confucius Temples or Confucius Temples. This is the place where Confucius is worshipped. The largest and earliest Confucius Temple in the country is the Confucius hometown of Qufu, Shandong. Confucius Temple has been included in the World Cultural Heritage. In Zhengzhou, Henan, there is also a Confucian Temple. The Zhengzhou Confucian Temple is located in the old town of the city center. It has a long history and is earlier than most Confucius Temples in the country. Founded in the Yongping Period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhengzhou Confucian Temple was the oldest and largest ancient architectural complex in Zhengzhou. The Zhengzhou Confucian Temple once had more than 200 temples and pavilions, covering an area of about 50,000 square meters. There is one street crossing in the east and west. However, the scale of the Confucian Temple is now very small. There are only two ancient buildings and several small rooms in Dacheng Hall and Tuen Mun. The current Confucian Temple is a free and open tourist attraction, but there are not many foreign tourists. Most of the time is very deserted. Some locals are resting at the entrance of the Temple of Literature. At the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, there were 37 acres of the Temple of Literature, consisting of the front yard, the middle court and the back yard. The front yard has the Xingxing Gate, Dianchi Lake and Tuen Mun. There are Dacheng Hall and East-West Gallery in the Intermediate Court. In the backyard, there are Minglun Hall, Jingting Pavilion and Zunjing Pavilion. Dacheng Hall is the essence of the Confucian Temple. This temple has been repeatedly destroyed by fires in the history of the temple. The most recent fire occurred during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. All the buildings were almost burned out, and the scale after reconstruction was much smaller than before. The existing Dacheng Hall is still an ancient building of the Qing Dynasty and has a high historical value. The entire Confucian Temple is antique and solemn, next to the historic site of the historic city. Confucian Temple is easily accessible by subway and you can walk to the "East Street" station and walk. The scenic spots in the old city of Zhengzhou are relatively concentrated. The Erqi Memorial Tower in the city center was once the symbol of Zhengzhou. Nowadays, with the vigorous development of Zhengdong New District and the high-rise buildings, the urban style has undergone tremendous changes.