Zhaoqing Deqing Confucian Temple Scenic Area Confucius Temple Ticket

Attraction Highlights

The Deqing Confucian Academy is an ancient Confucian temple in southern China and a key national cultural relic protection site. Its Dacheng Hall is of great significance for studying the architectural history of the Song and Yuan dynasties in China, and is a treasure of wooden architecture from the Yuan dynasty in Lingnan. Located within Deqing County, the Deqing Confucian Temple was first built in the fourth year of the Song Xiangfu era (1011) and rebuilt in the first year of the Yuan Dade era (1297). This solemn ancient architectural complex consists of Dacheng Hall, Chongsheng Hall, Zunjing Pavilion, Xiangxian Shrine, Xingtan, and other structures, covering an area of over 8,000 square metres. It is a gem of Yuan dynasty wooden architecture in China. The original Deqing Confucian Academy complex covered over 3,900 square metres, facing south with Dacheng Hall at the centre. To the front are the Civilisation Gate, stone railings, and Pan Pond; to the rear are Chongsheng Hall, Zunjing Pavilion, Minglun Hall, as well as the East and West side halls.

The designer of Dacheng Hall at the Deqing Confucian Academy broke new ground by abandoning the traditional hall structure of "eight pillars supporting the roof" in favour of a unique "four pillars not reaching the top" design to meet the building's disaster prevention requirements. The main structure, Dacheng Hall, is world‑famous for its "four pillars not reaching the top" and is hailed as a pearl of ancient architecture in southern China.