Tainan Confucius Temple

The Confucius Temple, also known as the Temple of Literature, was built during the Ming Yongli period. It is the earliest Temple of Literature in Taiwan and was the highest official school before the late Qing Dynasty, hence it is known as the 'First Academy of Taiwan'. This Confucius Temple was initiated and constructed by Chen Yong-hua, a military advisor to Zheng Jing. It underwent several renovations during the Qing Dynasty and Japanese colonial period, with the current main structure completed after renovations in 1977 (ROC year 66). The temple gate is adorned with a golden plaque inscribed with 'First Academy of Taiwan', serving as the entrance. The main building is the Dacheng Hall, which primarily enshrines Confucius, the Great Sage and Teacher. On the hall's beams hang numerous imperial plaques bestowed by former Qing emperors, as well as plaques inscribed by presidents such as Chiang Kai-shek and Lee Teng-hui, signifying immense honor. On both the east and west sides, the spirit tablets of Confucius's 72 disciples and eminent scholars and sages of past dynasties are enshrined. Behind the main hall is the Chongde Shrine, where the ancestral tablets of Confucius's five generations of ancestors, along with other eminent scholars like Kong Li, are enshrined.