Tainan Confucius Temple
Main Deities
About
High above the main gate hangs the plaque 'First Academy in Taiwan,' bestowed by the Kangxi Emperor — a single line that captures the standing of the Tainan Confucius Temple, the first Confucian temple in Taiwan and the highest seat of learning in the Qing era. Set in the West Central District, it follows the traditional 'school on the left, temple on the right' plan, grand and dignified. Though not a Taoist temple, it carries immense weight in Taiwan's folk belief and cultural inheritance. Each year on September 28th, Confucius's birthday, the 'Sacrificial Ceremony to Confucius' is still conducted according to ancient rites, faithfully preserving the 'Ba Yi' eight-row ceremonial dance — an essential stop for anyone drawn to Chinese culture and Confucian thought.
History
In 1665, Zheng Jing acted on the counsel of his adviser Chen Yonghua and raised this Confucius temple — the purpose plain enough: to promote learning and cultivate talent on this newly settled land. Through repeated Qing-dynasty additions and repairs, it grew to its present scale. During the Japanese colonial period the temple was for a time requisitioned for other uses, its Confucian rites restored only after the war. Today it stands as a National Monument and the center of Confucian culture in Taiwan.
Tainan Confucius Temple
West Central District, Tainan City
Visitor Info
Address
No. 2, Nanmen Rd, West Central District, Tainan City
Region
West Central District, Tainan City