Wén Miào (Confucius Temple), Shanghai
The Wén Miào Temple (also spelled Wenmiao) is the only surviving Confucian temple in Shanghai.
History
Wenmiao was founded during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD) as the Zitong Clan Temple, but was reconstructed in its current form in 1855. Like the Yuyuan Temple, Wenmiao housed the Small Swords Society when they took over the city during the Taiping Uprising.
Over its history, Wenmiao has variously been a temple, school for Confucian scholars, public garden, and Children's Palace.
Wén Miào was most recently restored in 1999 to celebrate the 2,550th birthday of Confucius.
What to See
Wenmiao's grounds offer quiet refuge from the crowded streets of Old Shanghai. Near the entrance to the temple is Kuíxing Gé, a three-story, 66-foot pagoda dedicated to the god of liberal arts. It is the only original structure still standing on these tranquil grounds. It once offered a panoramic view of the Old City.
As the temple was targeted by Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution, many of its buildings and their contents are reproductions of the originals.
Like all Confucian temples, Wenmiao features a língxin mén (gate) leading to the main hall, Dàchéng Diàn. A statue of Confucius stands outside, and inside are statues of Confucius flanked by his two disciples, Mèngzi (Mencius) and Yànhui, and his two favorite musical instruments, a drum and set of bells.
Southeast of Dàchéng Diàn are Mínglùn Táng, a former lecture hall, and the Rúxué Shu (Confucian Study Hall), now a small teapot museum. To the northeast of the main hall is the Zunjing Gé — formerly the temple library, the tower now houses a display of unusually shaped rocks.
Visitors to the temple — especially students — write wishes on slips of paper and tie them to boards or trees using red ribbons.
Just over the temple walls is a permanent book market, and the front courtyard of the temple houses a sprawling used-book market on Sunday mornings. The offerings include many antique English books, as well as bargain copies of books on Shanghai and China. The nearby ponds and gardens of the inner temple make a great place to enjoy your new books.
Quick Facts
| Location: | Nánshì (north side of Wénmiào Lù, 1 block east of Zhonghuá Lù), Shanghai, China |
| Address: | Wénmiào Lù 215 |
| Contact: | 021/6407-3593 |
| Hours: | Daily 9am-4:30pm |
| Cost: | ¥8 ($1) |
Sources
- Frommer's Shanghai, 3rd edition
- China Now - "A Walking Tour of Shanghai's Old City" by Lisa Movius
- Luo Guang Yu Seven Star Mantis Kung Fu - "Shanghai Confucian Temple"
- JFDaily.com - Shanghai's View - Photos and brief English description of Wen Miao
