Anning Confucius Temple in Kunming
The Anning Confucius Temple (安宁文庙), located within the Museum of Anning Town, Anning City, Kunming, Yunnan Province, was first established in the sixth year of the Dade era (大德) during the reign of Emperor Chengzong of the Yuan Dynasty (元成宗) in 1302. The temple covers an area of 4,500 square meters.
Architectural Scale and Layout
The Anning Confucius Temple boasts a grand scale with various architectural components including the Civilization Archway (文明坊), Screen Wall (照壁), Pond (泮池), Golden Sound and Jade Vibration Archway (金声玉振坊), Lingxing Gate (棂星门), Dacheng Gate (大成门), Dacheng Hall (大成殿), Chongsheng Shrine (崇圣祠), two courtyards (东西两院), the Academy Gate (黉门), and the Shrine of Local Worthies (乡贤祠). In total, there are 22 buildings in the seven courtyards and six halls layout. However, most of the original structures have been lost over time, with only the main buildings, Dacheng Hall and Chongsheng Shrine, remaining intact.
On May 25, 2006, the Anning Confucius Temple was officially listed as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Location
- Geographical Location: Museum of Anning Town, Anning City, Kunming, Yunnan Province
- Established: Sixth year of the Dade era (大德), 1302
- Area: 4,500 m²
- Protection Level: Sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relic Protection Units
- Code: 6-0746-3-449
- Approval Unit: State Council of the People’s Republic of China
Historical Development
The Anning Confucius Temple was first built in the sixth year of the Dade era (1302) and was destroyed during the military conflicts in the first year of the Tianli era (天历) in the Ming Dynasty (明宗) in 1329. It was rebuilt in the third year of the Yuan Dynasty (元) in 1337, overseen by General Xuanwei and the governor of Zhongqing Road. According to local chronicles, it underwent several reconstructions and expansions in the Yongle era (永乐) of the Ming Dynasty in 1403, the Xuan De era (宣德) in 1427, the Tian Shun era (天顺) in 1457, the Chongzhen era (崇祯) in 1629, and the 55th year of the Kangxi era (康熙) in 1716.
Architectural Features
The architectural area of the Anning Confucius Temple is 4,500 square meters. It features a grand design with a total of 22 structures, including the aforementioned components. Most of the original buildings have been lost, with only the primary structures, Dacheng Hall and Chongsheng Shrine, still standing.
Dacheng Hall
Dacheng Hall is oriented north to south and features a beam-column structure. It has five bays (16.6 meters wide) and three depths, with a front and rear corridor (14 meters). The hall features a single-eaved, nine-ridge hip roof that rises to a height of 10 meters, with eaves edged in glazed tiles. The interior adopts a method of reducing and shifting columns to maximize space. The essence of this architectural design, as detailed by Wang Haitao, the former director of the Kunming Museum in his book “Cultural Relics and Historical Sites in Kunming,” lies in the thick, open bracketing system, with two brackets in the central bay, one in the adjacent bay, and none in the slightly recessed bay. The front eaves bracketing features double-down angled five-purlin bracket sets, while the inner brackets are structured in a complex manner. Noted Chinese architectural historian Liu Dunzhen in “Overview of Ancient Architecture in Southwest China” recognizes the Dacheng Hall’s bracketing style as following the Song and Yuan architectural regulations.
Chongsheng Shrine
Located 13.7 meters north of Dacheng Hall, Chongsheng Shrine was constructed in the first year of the Yongzheng era (雍正) in the Qing Dynasty (清) in 1723. It features a beam-column structure, with five bays (16.12 meters wide) and a front corridor. Both the central and two adjacent bays have lattice doors, and it is topped with a single-eaved hard mountain roof.
Cultural Relics
The Anning Confucius Temple currently preserves more than ten steles from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Among these, the Yuan steles include the “Imperial Edict Stele” (圣旨碑) and the “Stele of the Reconstruction of Anning Confucius Temple” (重修安宁文庙记碑). The Ming steles include the “Imperially Inscribed Analects Stele” (御制儒学箴碑), “Stele of the Reconstruction of Minglun Hall” (重修明伦堂记), “Stele of the Reconstruction of the Scripture Pavilion” (重修尊经阁记), “Stele of Reflection” (去思碑记), “Stele of the Imperial Examination Name” (科举题名碑), and others. The Qing Dynasty stele includes the “Zhang Gong De Teaching Stele” (张公德教碑记). In front of Dacheng Hall, there are also two stone lions, originally positioned on both sides of the east gate of Yaocen Tower. After the Yaocen Tower was burned in a fire in 1985, the stone lions were relocated to their current site. These stone lions, carved from red sandstone, are 2 meters tall and 2 meters long. The male lion holds a pearl in its mouth, while the female lion is silent and protects a small lion with its front paw.
Historical and Cultural Significance
The brackets on both the interior and exterior of the Anning Confucius Temple represent the essence of the main hall’s architecture. The exterior brackets were renovated during the Kangxi era, exhibiting some characteristics of the Qing Dynasty. However, overall, the bracketing is robust and imposing. The central bay has two brackets, while the adjacent bay has one, with none in the slightly recessed bay. The front eaves brackets are structured in double-down angled five-purlin sets, while the inner brackets uniformly follow the three-bay, six-purlin style. The style of the arches adheres completely to the regulations of the Song Dynasty. Liu Dunzhen also emphasized in his writings that the architectural styles in Anning and Zhenxiong are consistent with the heritage of the Song and Yuan Dynasties.
During the Xianfeng (咸丰) and Tongzhi (同治) eras, the Hui people’s uprising led to the destruction of nearly all Buddhist and Taoist buildings around Kunming. Many mosques were also burned during the suppression of the uprising. In contrast, most Confucius Temples survived this period, indicating that during the feudal society, reverence for Confucius was a common ideology across different sects and social classes. Furthermore, the construction of Confucius Temples often utilized the best materials, artisans, and designs, accompanied by richly varied architectural forms such as halls, pavilions, and courtyards. This is why the older ancient architectural complexes in the Kunming area are predominantly Confucius Temples, including those in Kunming, Lunan, Yiliang, Chenggong, and Guandu. A comprehensive survey and classification of all Confucius Temples in Yunnan Province would yield a comprehensive dictionary of wooden structures from the Yuan Dynasty onward.
Preservation Efforts
On May 25, 2006, the Anning Confucius Temple was designated as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
Tourist Information
- Address: Anning Confucius Temple, 122 Lianran Street, Anning City, Kunming, Yunnan Province
- Transportation:
- Bus Route: Anning Bus No. 9, approximately 39.6 kilometers in total.
- Walk about 320 meters from the temple to Shengli Hall (Victory Square) Station.
- Take Anning Bus, passing 11 stops to reach Anning Xiaozhan (小站).
- Continue on Anning Bus No. 9 for 7 stops to reach the Metallurgy Back Door Station.
- Walk approximately 450 meters to the destination.
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