Heqing Confucius Temple in Dali

The Confucian Temple of Heqing (鹤庆文庙) is located within the campus of Heqing No. 1 Middle School (鹤庆一中), in the southwest corner of Heqing County (鹤庆县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It was originally founded in the 8th year of Zhiyuan (1271) during the Yuan Dynasty. The present site was relocated from Yuanhuasi (元化寺) in 1396 (29th year of Hongwu, Ming Dynasty) and now covers over 30,000 square meters.

Historical Evolution

The temple began as a school establishment in 1271 during the Yuan Dynasty, but the current location was originally occupied by Yuanhuasi (元化寺). Repeated restorations and relocations occurred during the Ming and Qing dynasties:

• Destroyed by fire in 1382 (15th year of Hongwu, Ming Dynasty)
• Relocated to current site in 1396 by local official Gao Zhong (高仲将)
• Expanded in 1447 (12th year of Zhengtong) by Prefect Lin Qiujie
• Zunjing Pavilion (尊经阁) added in 1507
• Damaged by earthquake in 1515 and restored in 1516
• Pond and main gate moved in 1568; further renovations occurred through the late Ming Dynasty
• Major rebuilding from 1621–1632, funded by Lijiang official Mu Zeng
• Qing-era repairs in 1664, 1683–1689, and 1701; major restorations in 1780 and 1831
• Underwent restoration during the Guangxu reign
• Damaged during land reform, Cultural Revolution, and the 1976 Tangshan earthquake
• Since 1986, phased restorations returned the temple largely to its original form
• From 1997 onward, provincial, prefectural, and county governments invested nearly ten million RMB in refurbishments, including main hall restoration, gates, screen wall, pond, new arch, and statue of Confucius

Architectural Layout

The temple follows the classic Ming‑style layout of a Confucian complex. The central axis runs south to north: spirit screen, pond, main gate (Dacheng Gate), and the principal hall, the Hall of the First Teacher (先师殿, also known as the Dacheng Hall 大成殿). In front stand the Dan Chi platform, Dacheng Gate, Lingxing Gate, the pond (Panchi), Li Gate, Yi Gate, and a large spirit screen. Behind are the Qisheng Palace (启圣宫), Minglun Hall (明伦堂), Zunjing Pavilion (尊经阁), and flanked symmetrically by East and West Side Halls (东庑/西庑), memorial halls for famous officials (名宦祠), local worthies (乡贤祠), merit arches (兴贤坊), lodging and study rooms (正谊斋、明道斋), faculty offices, lecture hall, dining hall, plus garden features: lotus pond, rockery, and Caiqin Pavilion.

Architectural Features and Relics

Hall of the First Teacher: Covers 2,400 m², with a double-eaved gable‑hip roof, flying eaves and dougong brackets. A central Tianzitai platform bears a carved cloud‑dragon stone relief. Four carved coiling dragons support the bracket frame between the floors. Double‑embracing pillars include two made of fragrant nanmu wood. Above the central pillars hangs a replica imperial couplet in Qianlong’s handwriting:
“Complete energy through the four seasons, combining virtue with Heaven, Earth, Sun, Moon, and Spirits; teaching that influences ten‑thousand generations, succeeding the sages Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen, Wu as teachers.”

Monument Steles:

• Stele of Zunjing Pavilion (1507, Ming Zhengde)
• Stele of the Rebuilt Heqing Prefectural School Temple (1764, Qing Qianlong 29th year)
• Stele of New Yupi­ng Academy (1893, Qing Guangxu 19th year), inscription by Yang Jinkai, calligraphy by Zhao Heling, carved by Yang Chaoqing

Cultural Significance and Protection

The Confucian Temple serves as a monument honoring Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, educator, and statesman. Over centuries, it has been known variously as the Temple of the Sage, Wensheng Temple, or Kongzi Temple.

In 1987, it was designated a third‑batch provincial key cultural relic protection site by the Yunnan Provincial Government. The complex exhibits significant historical, artistic, and scientific value, combining grand official-style architecture, precise bracket and painted detail, and unique structural features of Ming–Qing construction. It is essential for studying classical Chinese institutional architecture.

Visiting Information

• Location: Inside the grounds of Heqing No. 1 Middle School (鹤庆一中), southwest corner of Heqing County Town (鹤庆县城), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). The entrance lies about 200 meters northeast from the intersection of Xinghe Road (兴鹤路) and South Ring Road.
• Walking Distance: Approximately 900 meters (about 15 minutes) from the Heqing County Government building.
• Site Area: More than 30,000 m².