A Unique and Historic Commercial District in Nanjing: Confucius Temple

A Unique and Historic Commercial District in Nanjing: Confucius Temple


A Night View of the Confucius Temple Along Qinhuai River. Photo: en.hhu.edu.cn

Fuzi Temple or Confucius Temple is located on the northern bank of Qinhuai River, next to Gongyuan Street. Facing the river from the entrance, Confucius Temple is a fine example of ancient Chinese architecture. It claims part of Qinhuai River and features beautiful arched bridges and a stone brick wall on the south side of the riverbank called “zhao bi” or “screen wall” to protect against bad luck. Its “zhao bi” here is one of the longest (110 m) than any other historic architecture in the entire country. The cluster of architecture known as Fuzi Temple include the Confucius Temple and Jiangnan Gongyuan (Imperial Examination Site for the area south of the Yangtze River) – and together they make up the famous landmark attraction along the Qinhuai River.

To accommodate modern development needs, Fuzi Temple has now been renovated into one of the most bustling commercial districts in Nanjing. Many tea houses, restaurants and shops have been especially constructed to imitate ancient Chinese building styles. Every year for Chinese New Year, a special lantern festival is held at the Fuzi Temple, with bazaars reconstructed to the east and west side of the temple, as was the layout and tradition back in the old days.

Fuzi Temple is also well-known for being a center for gourmet food. They offer at least 200 different traditional dishes and local specialties here. The recipes for preparing traditional dishes here have built on customary methods – infusing modern modifications to present what's known as “Qinhuai Eight Delights”. The eight “delights” are very much representative of the quintessential local food in the area. There are also sporadic folk song and dance performances at the venue to give a better bazaar feel as you enjoy the scenery and delicious food.

After enjoying the local gourmet, visitors can also opt to ride the decorated Chinese-style ferries down at the wharf below Kuixin Pavilion. There are three styles of ferries available: a larger, more luxurious ferry with a capacity for transporting 40 passengers; a smaller and simpler ferry with a transport capacity for 18 passengers; and an even more compact ferry with unique design and a transport capacity of 10 passengers. During the ferry ride, a travel guide will be explaining the trip and scenery and a small band featuring Chinese string and bamboo instruments will also be playing traditional folk music in accompaniment – at no extra charge. Round trip on the ferry takes around 45 minutes during which time you’ll be able to fully enjoy the attractions on both sides of the riverbank.

Add: Intersection of West Gongyuan Street with Fuzi Temple Walkway, north side bank of Qinhuai River, inside Zhonghua Gate
地址:南京市中华门内秦淮河北岸贡院西街与夫子庙步行街交汇处
Tel: 025 8662 0123
Tickets: 30 RMB/person for round trip on Chinese-style ferry; 80 RMB/person for ferry ride + tour of Fuzi Temple
Transportation: Take bus routes 4, 7, 40, 44, 49, 62, 304 to Fuzi Temple (east) station

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Keywords: historic commercial district Nanjing Confucius temple Nanjing fuzi temple nanjing

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