Dear tourists. Today, I will take you to visit the Qinhuai River and Confucius Temple. Qinhuai River Tourist Area is located in the south of the old city of Nanjing. It takes about 20 minutes to get there by car from the city. It is a tourist destination with Confucius Temple as the center, integrating sightseeing, shopping and tasting, showing the ancient city style and national customs.
The origin and historical changes of the Qinhuai River
The Qinhuai River is a river that once played an important role in the political, economic and cultural development of the ancient city of Nanjing. According to legend, the Qinhuai River is an artificial canal ordered by Qin Shihuang. When Qin Shihuang visited Kuaiji in the east and passed through Nanjing, in order to facilitate the navigation of ships, he ordered the excavation of Fangshan to connect the Huai River with the Yangtze River. Therefore, this section of the river was named "Qin Huai River". However, according to geological surveys, the Qinhuai River is a natural river with a long history. At that time, this ancient river did pass through Fangshan. However, due to geographical changes, the river changed its course and gradually formed its current river course. The Qinhuai River in history has a wide channel. After Yang Xingmi, King of Wu in the Five Dynasties, built a stone city near Changgan Bridge, the river began to narrow and was divided into inner and outer "Qinhuai". The inner Qinhuai River enters the city from Dongshuiguan, passes through Confucius Temple, and then leaves the city through Xishuiguan south of Shuiximen to join the outer Qinhuai River. The total length of the river is 10 kilometers. This is the "Ten Miles of Qinhuai" that countless literati have admired and visited throughout the ages. The great poets of the Tang Dynasty, such as Li Bai, Liu Yuxi, and Du Mu, all wrote poems about her. Kong Shangren's "The Peach Blossom Fan" and Wu Jingyang's "The Scholars" also vividly described the "Ten Miles of Qinhuai".
The ancient Qinhuai River is very small compared with the Yangtze River flowing through the north of Nanjing City, but it has an extremely close relationship with the birth and development of Nanjing City, as well as the political, economic and cultural development of Nanjing area. . As early as the Neolithic Age, five or six thousand years ago, humans were already thriving here. So far, as many as fifty or sixty primitive village ruins have been discovered along both sides of the river. The feudal courts of the Six Dynasties and the early Ming Dynasty always regarded it as a natural barrier for the capital and a natural passage required by the palace. After Sun Quan of the Eastern Wu Dynasty established his capital in Jianye (Nanjing), he built "gate ponds" on both sides of the Qinhuai River, which could not only defend against enemies but also prevent floods. Since the Six Dynasties, both sides of the Qinhuai River in the Confucius Temple area have been prosperous places with dense residents and connected markets. The Qinhuai River has served as the main channel for foreign trade in Nanjing, and boats and ships shuttled in the river, creating a prosperous atmosphere. It is said that in the old days, there were many singing houses and restaurants on both sides of the Qinhuai River, the river houses and water pavilions were full of beauty, and the yachts and paintings were brightly lit. The rich and nobles lived here in pursuit of fun and extravagance, but the working people, especially the women, were weeping. , having tasted the bitterness of the world. At that time, most prostitutes in Nanjing were concentrated on both sides of the Qinhuai River. Li Xiangjun, a famous courtesan who was not afraid of the powerful and powerful, was described by the Qing Dynasty dramatist Kong Shangren in "The Peach Blossom Fan". She lived by the Wende Bridge on the south bank of the Qinhuai River.
The beautiful Qinhuai River once flowed through the loneliness of the barbaric era, the prosperity and extravagance since the Six Dynasties, the dirt of the old society and the blood and tears of the working people, and even the blood of the Nanjing Massacre. However, today's Qinhuai River, after historical precipitation and people's transformation, has exuded the fragrance of health and civilization, showing a clear and moving grace. It is a witness to the history of Nanjing. No wonder people are used to using "Qinhuai" as a synonym for Nanjing.
Qinhuai Painted Boat - Banchi - Confucius Temple Screen Wall - Temple Square - Lingxing Gate
Dear tourists: Now we have come to the Qinhuai River. The paintings in the river are all imitating the Ming Dynasty architecture. Made in Chinese style, there are big red balls and red lanterns hanging on the bow. During the Lantern Festival, Nanjing people are used to coming here to enjoy the lanterns. This trend has been prevalent in the Ming Dynasty. It is said that after the Ming Dynasty established its capital, Zhu Yuanjin inspected the capital incognito. When he came to the Qinhuai River, he saw green trees on both sides, clear river water, pavilions and pavilions, and pleasant scenery. He casually said: "It's a pity that there is a lack of pleasure boats in the river." The emperor opened the Golden Gate, and he sent people to build it overnight. Painting boats to win the favor of the emperor. Since then, Qinhuai painting visits have become a major feature here. Especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival, thousands of water lanterns are lit up on the river, dragon lanterns are flying on both sides of the river, and singing, drumming, cheers, and laughter continue all night long. It can be said that "Qinhuai's lanterns are the best in the world." No wonder there is a folk proverb in Nanjing: "Every family walks on the bridge, everyone looks at the lanterns."
The section of the Qinhuai River in front of us has become the Confucius Temple (Confucius Temple) and Panchi since the Song Dynasty, also known as the Crescent Moon. In ancient times, the school where the emperor lectured was called Piyong, and the school where princes gave lectures was called Pangong. The school in Confucius Temple was equivalent to the place where princes lectured, so this pool was called "Panchi".
There are generally three stone bridges built on Panchi. In terms of level, county officials and academic officials take the middle one, and scholars take the bridges on both sides. It is said that in ancient times, a scholar mistakenly went to the Zhongqiao and committed rebellion. He was in a dilemma and had to jump into Panchi himself.
Please look at the section of vermilion stone brick wall on the other side of the river. This is the screen wall of Confucius Temple. The Zhaobi was built in the third year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (Lize year). It is 110 meters long and is the longest Zhaobi in the world. Dear tourists: This Confucius Temple was first built in the third year of Xiankang (337) of Emperor Cheng of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. At that time, Emperor Cheng adopted Wang Dao's suggestion: "The most important thing in governing a country is to cultivate talents" and decided to locate the university on the bank of the Qinhuai River. Originally, there was only a school palace, and the Confucius Temple was expanded on the basis of learning and wealth in the first year of Emperor Renzong of Song Dynasty (1034). Therefore, Confucius Temple is a prosperous downtown that evolved from a cultural and educational center. It includes three main building complexes: Confucius Temple, Academy and Gongyuan. Its scope is bounded by the north bank of Qinhuai River in the south, the east end of Jiankang Road in the north, and Yaojia in the east. Lane, which ends at Sifu Lane in the west, is huge in scale. Although the Confucius Temple was repeatedly destroyed, it was built and expanded in each dynasty. By the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, the structure and layout of its pavilions and palaces were the best in the southeast. The current Confucius Temple building was partly rebuilt in the late Qing Dynasty and partly rebuilt in recent years. Please look back. This pavilion-style building is called Kuixing Pavilion. It was first built in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. This building facing the street and water was destroyed twice and rebuilt in 1985.
Now we have come to the square in front of the temple opened in the Qing Dynasty. There are two steles at the east and west ends of the square, about one foot high. On them are engraved in both Manchu and Chinese characters "The Minister of Civil and Military Affairs has hereto dismount", which means Respect for the saint Confucius. The hexagonal double-eaves pavilion on the left is called "Juxing Pavilion". "Juxing" means the gathering of stars and the gathering of talents. It was built in the 14th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1586) and went through several ups and downs. It was not until the 8th year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1869) that it was rebuilt with funds raised by Jiangning Xiangxian Zhu Fufeng and others. This is the only Qing Dynasty building that survived the Japanese artillery fire. Unfortunately, it was demolished in 1968 as one of the "Four Olds". It was rebuilt in 1983 and restored to its original appearance. The archway in the middle of the square is called "Tian Wenshu Arch". Please continue to move forward with me. This gate is called Lingxing Gate, which is the gate of Confucius Temple. It is said that Ta Xing is the star in charge of education in the sky. He brings convenience and happiness to people. The gate is a stone structure with six pillars and three gates. It was built in the 16th year of Chenghua in the Ming Dynasty (1480). It was later destroyed and rebuilt in the 9th year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1870). However, the Pole Star Gate we see now was rebuilt in 1983. On the east and west sides of the Jixing Gate are the East Market and the West Market
Dacheng Gate-Dacheng Hall-Xuegong
Dear tourists: Walking through the Lingxing Gate is the main entrance of the Confucius Temple. It's called Dachengmen, also called Jimen. There are four stone tablets on the inside of the door. The first piece is the "Stele of Confucius Asking Rituals", which was engraved in the second year of Qi Yongming in the Southern Dynasty (484). It records the decline of slavery in the late Spring and Autumn Period. Out of his admiration for the ritual and music system of the Zhou Dynasty, and with the desire to rejuvenate the country and help the world, Confucius left his hometown in the 24th year of Lu Zhaogong (518 BC). Qu Fu went to Luoyang, the capital of Zhou Dynasty, to inspect the laws and regulations and seek ways to consolidate the slave-owners' power in Lu. The upper part of the stele has the inscription "Confucius asked questions about etiquette, inscribed by Wu Jingheng". The picture shows two people driving a car, and a group of figures in ancient costumes welcoming them in front of the city gate. There are also the words "In the second year of Yongming Dynasty, Confucius was among the people of Lu, Zhou Menli Zhouliu". This stele has a history of more than 1,500 years, and the pictures and texts are still clearly legible. It is a rare and precious cultural relic. The second stele is the "Stele of Jiqing Confucius Temple". The inscription was written by Lu Zhi when the Confucius Temple was rebuilt in the second year of the Yuan Dynasty (1309). In the first year of the Yuan Dynasty (1330), it was written and carved on stone by Prince Chunzhai. . The third stele is the "Feng Si Clan Stele", which tells the story of Emperor Wenzong's edict in the second year of Yuan Zhishun: Yan Hui, Zeng Shen (two disciples of Confucius), Kong Ji (Confucius's grandson), Meng Ke ( The second disciple of Confucius) is the Siya Sage. The fourth stele is the "Stele of the Conferment of the Most Holy Lady", which tells the story of the second year of Yuan Zhishun (1331), when Emperor Wenzong issued an edict and conferred the title of the Most Holy Lady on Confucius' wife. On both sides of the temple is the Stele Corridor (originally the place where the seventy-two sage tablets of Confucius were enshrined). In the corridor, 30 inscriptions by famous contemporary calligraphers are displayed.
Now, please follow me through the stone rainway in the middle. Before entering the Dacheng Hall, let me first introduce to you the open-air platform in front of the hall. This is a place for worship, singing and dancing. In ancient times, local officials would hold grand sacrificial activities in the Confucius Temple every year on the first Thursday of February, August and the day of Confucius' birthday (the 27th of the eighth lunar month).
The rituals used in the sacrifices were based on the rituals of the Youzhou slave masters offering sacrifices to the ghosts and gods of heaven and earth. Imitation bronze sacrificial vessels were placed in front of the Dacheng Hall, offering 2 cattle, 16 pigs, and 16 sheep, as well as a large amount of cloth, silk, millet, dried and fresh fruits, and incense. Paper candles etc. The officiant must wear special ancient sacrificial clothes, read out the sacrificial text, and perform three bows and nine kowtows to the tablets of Confucius and the "Four Couples" (disciples of Confucius) and the "Twelve Philosophers" (disciples of the Confucius family). There will also be performances by a band and dance team. , to praise Confucius, so a stage was set up in front of Dacheng Hall.
Now, please follow me into the main hall of Confucius Temple - Dacheng Hall. This is a majestic building with a double eaves verandah roof and a standing sculpture of two dragons playing with a pearl in the center of the roof. There are only a handful of buildings of this size in the country. "Dacheng" means the culmination of Confucius's collection of thoughts of ancient sages and sages. The center of Dacheng Hall was originally dedicated to Confucius and his four disciples, with twelve statues of his disciples on both sides. The current Dacheng Hall has been opened as the "Nanjing Local Culture Museum".
Please go further, this is the academy of Confucius Temple. There was originally a plaque of "Xuegong" above the lintel, and a cypress archway outside the door, with the inscription "The No. 1 School in the Southeast" on the archway. To the north of the archway is a flower garden surrounded by wooden fences, and there are four study rooms on the left and right, which are places for students to study on their own. The names of these four houses are "Zhidao", "Jude", "Yiren" and "Youyi" respectively. Behind is Mingde Hall. This building was built in the ninth year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty (1139). The name of the hall was written by Wen Tianxiang. Mingde Hall is a gathering place for students. After the pilgrimage on the first and fifteenth day of each month (the first and fifteenth day of the lunar calendar), students gather here and the instructors preach the holy teachings and edicts. There is a "lying stele" on the east wall, which is the law of training. Hanging on the left and right beams are the inscriptions of tribute members and students from the six counties under Jiangning Prefecture. The building in front of us is Lixiang Pavilion. It was originally a Chongsheng Temple to worship Confucius' parents, but is now a playground. The building to the east is the Qingyun Tower. It was built in the 14th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1586). It was an ancestral hall for the governors of all dynasties. When it was first built, it had three floors. Because it was close to the Gongyuan, in order to prevent people from stealing from the upper floors. Kangongyuan was converted into a two-story building during the Qing Dynasty. The upper floor was used for collecting books and the lower floor was a reading room. After the imperial examination was abolished in the late Qing Dynasty, it was changed to a primary school. In the early years of the Republic of China, it was changed to Jiangning County Education Association. During the Anti-Japanese War, it was used as a teahouse and a singing venue. After the war, it was used as a public education center and a Nanjing general history museum. This is also one of the few buildings preserved from the old academy. Dear tourists: After visiting the Xuegong building, we will visit another ancient building complex in Confucius Temple - Gongyuan.
Gongyuan Street - Gongyuan - Mingyuan Building
The place we are standing now is Gongyuan Street, and the north-south street that intersects Gongyuan Street is Gongyuan West Street, Gongyuan Street To the north is Gongyuan, a large-scale examination venue in Nanjing in ancient times. Gongyuan was built in the fourth year of Qiandao in the Southern Song Dynasty (1168) and is the county examination place. After Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanjin made Nanjing his capital, it became a place for provincial examinations and joint examinations. The capital was moved to Beijing in the 19th year of Yile in the Ming Dynasty (1421), but Nanjing still served as the companion capital. In addition, Jiangnan is a place with basic humanities, so examinations are still held here as scheduled. Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty continued to send people to build the Jiangnan Gongyuan, and the Ming and Qing dynasties continued to expand the Gongyuan. By the time of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty, the scale of the Gongyuan was the largest among the 23 provinces at that time. In this regard, I only need to tell you a number, and you can imagine it - by the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, there were 20,644 "houses" for examinations, and this does not include examination officials and functional personnel. of office accommodation. Unfortunately, there are only a handful of existing Gongyuan buildings. Mingyuan Building is one of the preserved Gongyuan buildings, while most of the others have been turned into markets.
Now, the three-story building we see is Mingyuan Building. The building is square in shape with windows on all sides. It is located in the center of Gongyuan, where candidates and officers in Gongyuan can be monitored. "Ming Yuan" means "pursue the distant future with caution and return to the original with clear virtues." The feudal dynasty educated scholars to take "filial piety, loyalty and righteousness" as the foundation of their lives. After the candidates finish the exam, the "gold list" is posted on Gongyuan Street in front. After the imperial examination was abolished in the late Qing Dynasty, the Gongyuan also lost its original role. In 1919, except for the Mingyuan Building and part of the dormitory building that were left to display historical relics, the rest were demolished and turned into a market. The "Jinling Gongyuan Relics Stele" downstairs in Mingyuan records this historical fact in detail.
Dear tourists: I will introduce you to Confucius Temple here. If you are interested, you can go to the East Market and West Market of Confucius Temple. You can also buy some of your favorite handicrafts and tourist souvenirs. You can also go to the West Street area to taste the snacks of Confucius Temple. Confucius Temple can be said to be the most popular in the country. A famous snack gathering place.