beijing okay

孔子

Confucius Temple

Although firmly placed on the tourist map, I wasn't impressed at all with the Beijing Confucius temple when I went a few months ago. This was mainly because of the heavy construction, green tarp and giant craters in every possible space. However, renovations are complete and the temple has been reopened, and now I get why it's considered "unmissable."

The highlight is the largest temple area, which houses wooden statues of goats and lambs on silk cushions, fake bars of gold, intricate silk embroidery hangings, and extremely ornate painting on every wooden beam. Unfortunately, the light was far too low to photograph without flash.

Not only where the renovations restrained and well executed, but a new small museum dedicated to Confucius' influences around the world is quaint and well put together and, SHOCKER, the English is totally correct on the displays. Good job Olympics, you've gotten sleepy Beijing to clean up it's historic sites in a less "house paint on the Great Wall" way.

Large tile incense burner from the 18th century. This guy is display only.

Restored Steele pavilions. Each one of these pavilions (there are around 14 in the whole complex) hold text and information on imperial examinations, Confucius' writing, etc. carved on large stone steeles.

A cypress (I think?) near a steele pavilion.

A knotted, tumorous tree near the back of the temple.