Shanghai Wen Miao, China

The Temple of Confucius, which can be seen in Shanghai, was built in 1294 during the reign of the Yuan Dynasty. That’s a replica of temples in Qufu and Beijing. It is second to them only in scale. The sight is located in the bustling district of Temple of the Huangpu, which is known for its colorful Venmo Sunday Market. The temple has long been a real cultural center. Not only important religious holidays and rituals, but also great exhibitions and book markets are held there.

For hundreds of years, the temple has been a beautiful witness to many important events in the history of the city. In 1851, it was occupied by rebels. For four years, it has been the headquarters of the Small Sword Society. Later, during the war, the temple was almost completely destroyed, and then suffered during the Cultural Revolution. Through the efforts of the city government and local craftsmen, the sight was restored. Last major reconstruction took place in 1955.

At the same time, the temple in Shanghai is considered one of the most successful in the country. Since its opening, it stayed unchanged until the middle of the 19th century. The temple features incredibly beautiful and grand design. It is possible to see great sculptures of Confucius surrounded by traditional attributes, including bells and stone drums. Several notable museums operate on the territory of the temple. Visitors will have an opportunity to see an exhibition of the Museum of Stones, as well as to look into the Museum of Teapots and get to know one of the most interesting national Chinese traditions of tea drinking. Next - Xuankong Si Monastery