Wen Miao, Shanghai

The Shanghai Wen Miao, also known as the Confucius Temple of Shanghai

The Shanghai Wen Miao (Chinese: 上海文庙), also known as Shanghai Confucian Temple, is an ancient temple and was built to pay homage to Confucius. It is the main temple of Confucius in Shanghai, and is similar to the renowned temples as the original Temple of Confucius in his hometown Qufu, and the grand Confucius Temple in Beijing; although the Shanghai Wen Miao is smaller than those two. The temple is located in the Wen Miao Lu (文庙路) in Huangpu District, and just outside the temple near the "Wen Miao Market". The market opens every Sunday morning, and hosts temple fair.

History

Shanghai Confucian Temple was first founded during the Yuan Dynasty, when Shanghai, once a small fishing village, got the status of county. It was also the most prestigious learning institution of the county, as in ancient times a Confucian Temple was typically a combination of temple and school. In the following centuries it was rebuilt several times. From 1851 to 1855, the temple was occupied by the Small Swords Society and became their headquarters. The temple was almost completely destroyed during the battle when government troops retook control of it. The government eventually decided to rebuild the temple at the present site.

The temple was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution, but in 1995 it was designated for renovation by the local government. Now it is the site of one of the biggest book markets in Shanghai.

External links

• 上海文廟官方網站
• Wenmiao @ orientalarchitecture.com