Majie Confucius Temple in Kaiyuan City, Honghe
Location and Historical Background
Majie Confucius Temple is located in Majie Village (马街村), Xiaolongtan Town (小龙潭镇), Kaiyuan City (开远市), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州). The temple was originally built during the Qing Dynasty (清朝) under the reign of Emperor Qianlong (乾隆), and it underwent renovations during the Guangxu period (光绪). Covering an area of over 4,000 square meters (4000 m²), the temple complex includes several significant buildings.
Architectural Features
The temple is composed of several key structures, including the Dacheng Gate (大成门), Dacheng Hall (大成殿), and the two wings known as Xuehai (学海). The courtyard is adorned with ancient cypress trees that provide a cool, shaded environment. In 1983, Majie Confucius Temple was designated as a cultural heritage protection site by Kaiyuan City.
Significance of Confucius
Confucius (孔子), born Qiu (丘) in 551 BC and passing in 479 BC, was a philosopher, educator, and politician from the State of Lu (鲁国), in present-day Qufu (曲阜), Shandong Province (山东). He is recognized as the founder of Confucianism, which has significantly influenced Chinese history and culture, as well as having a profound impact worldwide, particularly in Southeast Asia. Confucius’s ancestor, Wei Zi Qi (微子启), was a younger brother of King Zhou (纣王) of the Shang Dynasty (商朝) and was granted the fief of Song. The sixth-generation ancestor Kong Fu Jia (孔父嘉) adopted the surname Kong (孔), and the fifth-generation ancestor Mu Jin Fu (木金父) fled to the State of Lu, where the family eventually settled.
Xiaolongtan Town Overview
Xiaolongtan Town is located in the northwest of Kaiyuan City and serves as a hub for transportation, electricity, and coal energy. It borders Chake Town (岔科镇) to the northwest, Xunjiansi Town (巡检司镇) and Pengpu Town (朋普镇) to the northeast, and is adjacent to Lebaidao Office (乐百道办事处) in the east and Lingquan Office (灵泉办事处) in the south. The town covers a total area of 179.44 square kilometers, accounting for 9.06% of Kaiyuan City’s total area, ranking fifth among the eight townships in the city. It administers six village committees, one community committee, 46 natural villages, and 62 village groups.
How to Get There
To reach Majie Confucius Temple, take a bus from Kunming (昆明) to Kaiyuan City. Once in Kaiyuan, you can hire a local taxi or use public transportation to Xiaolongtan Town. The temple is a short walk from the town center.
Travel Tips
- Visit during weekdays for a quieter experience.
- Dress respectfully when visiting the temple.
- Bring water and snacks, as there may be limited options nearby.
- Explore the surrounding area to appreciate the local culture and scenery.
