[2024 Dai County Attraction] Travel Guide for Daixian County Confucious Temple (Updated Dec)

Bell and Drum Towers are traditional Chinese architecture, referring to bell towers and drum towers, and were mainly used for timekeeping in ancient China. There are two types of Bell and Drum Towers, one built in the palace and the other in the city center, mostly two-story buildings. The Dai County Bell Tower is a brick and wood structure built before the 14th year of the Chenghua period of the Ming dynasty. The interior of the bell tower is not open to the public, so you can only view it from the outside. It is worth mentioning that there is an iron bell in the bell tower, which was built in the Jin dynasty and was used to transmit messages and warn of military situations. The bell tower and the drum tower (Bianjing Tower) complement each other, forming the unique scenery of Dai County. The ancient is always a little sad. For more than 500 years, it has quietly spread over the vast land outside the pass, letting the wind and sand rage. Tile, eaves, roof ridge beasts, cross-hipped roof... I approached it quietly with awe, not daring to be presumptuous, not daring to be ostentatious, just a visit... With songs as a gift, I pay tribute to the mountains and rivers, to the years, and to the light of China. 📌TIPS: 📍Location: Search for Dai County Bell Tower in the navigation. 💰Ticket: Free 🅿️Parking: The bell tower is next to the county government, and there is a parking lot next to the county government, free parking. ⏱️Tour time: 15-20 minutes 💚Nearby: The bell tower is located in Dai County Ancient City, and the open attractions in the ancient city are not far away, so you can park your car in one place and walk around, which is more convenient. Ayuwang Pagoda - Mao Zedong's Residence - Glazed Well - Zhou Dai's Residence - Dai County Bell Tower - Bianjing Tower - General Temple - Dai County Confucian Temple You can visit them in one day. 🧡There are parking lots in front of Bianjing Tower and Confucian Temple, which charge 10 yuan for the first three hours, and 2 yuan per hour thereafter, with a maximum charge of 12 hours, and 24 hours as a billing cycle. 💚Dai County specialties: 🌈Dai County yellow wine, Dai County chili, Dai County crisp pear, Dai County sorghum noodles 🌈Dai County yellow wine is a major specialty of Dai County, with a long history and unique brewing process. It is golden in color, mild and mellow, and has enjoyed the reputation of "Dai County golden wave and jade crisp" since the Song dynasty. 🧡Clothing: In ancient times, the border area was 3-4 degrees lower than the south of Dai County, and it was windy, so bring a thick coat to keep warm.

Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, has had a profound influence on Chinese culture with his thoughts and educational philosophy. In addition to Qufu in Shandong, Confucian temples, also known as Wenmiao, Fuzimiao, and Xianshimiao, have been built all over the country. Confucian temples are physical buildings, historical and cultural heritage, and spiritual sustenance for the Chinese people. The existence of Confucian temples is of immeasurable significance for the dissemination and inheritance of Confucian culture. Built in the Tang dynasty and rebuilt several times, the Dai County Confucian Temple is a rare, magnificent, and splendid classical architectural complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the largest prefecture-level Confucian temple in North China and a valuable specimen for the study of Confucian culture and classical architecture. 📌TIPS: 📍Location: Search for Dai County Confucian Temple on the map. 💰Tickets: ✔️Confucian Temple: CNY 28/person (on-site purchase) ✔️Bianjing Tower: CNY 20/person (on-site purchase) ✔️Confucian Temple + Bianjing Tower: CNY 40/person (on-site purchase, available at both Confucian Temple and Bianjing Tower) 🅿️Parking: There is a parking lot near the scenic area. The fee is CNY 10 for the first 3 hours, and CNY 2 for each additional hour, up to 12 hours. The charging cycle is 24 hours. You can also park on the roadside near the scenic area. ⏱️Opening hours: 8:00–18:00 ⌚️Duration: 1–2 hours 💚Guide: CNY 50/time (for up to 10 people) CNY 90/time (for 11–50 people) 💚Sightseeing bus: Fee: CNY 20/person/time Route: Tourist Center - Ayuwang Pagoda - Mao Zedong's Residence - Bianjing Tower - General Temple - Confucian Temple - Zhou Dai's Residence 💚Nearby: 🌈The Confucian Temple is located in Dai County Ancient City. The attractions in the ancient city are not far from each other, so you can park your car in one place and walk around. 🌈Ayuwang Pagoda - Mao Zedong's Residence - Glazed Well - Zhou Dai's Residence - Dai County Bell Tower - Bianjing Tower - General Temple - Dai County Confucian Temple You can visit them all in one day. 🌈There is a parking lot near Bianjing Tower. The fee is CNY 10 for the first 3 hours, and CNY 2 for each additional hour, up to 12 hours. The charging cycle is 24 hours. You can also park on the roadside near the scenic area for free. 💚Local specialties: 🌈Dai County yellow wine, Dai County chili, Dai County pear, Dai County sorghum noodles 🌈Dai County yellow wine is a famous local specialty with a long history and unique brewing process. It is golden in color and mild and mellow in taste. As early as the Song dynasty, it was known as "Dai County golden wave and jade wine". 💚Clothing: As a border area in ancient times, the temperature here is 3–4 degrees lower than that in the south of Dai County, and it is windy. So, bring a thick coat to keep warm.

Dai County is located in Xinzhou City, in the north-central part of Shanxi Province. As the last city within Yanmenguan, the ancients would be outside the Great Wall once they left Dai County. Despite several wars, the overall structure of this county remains intact. The current county government is located where the Dai Prefecture Yamen was during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Yanmenguan in the sunset. Passing through the high and large city gate, you seem to have arrived at the "model room" of an ancient Chinese county. Architectural historian Liang Sicheng called it "a well-planned county". The city walls, city gates, bell towers, drum towers, and other defensive landmark buildings are all there, and some are even top-of-the-line in China. Within a one to two-hour walk, you can encounter three national treasure-level cultural relics. 📍Find the ancient charm: Shanxi Dai County Confucius Temple, an ancient building with a profound cultural heritage, quietly tells the vicissitudes of history. ⛱️Check-in spot: When you enter the Confucius Temple, the first thing you see is the solemn Dacheng Hall, which is a must-see photo spot. 🌄Travel strategy: It is recommended to visit in the early morning or evening to avoid the peak of the crowd and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the ancient buildings. Why not follow a local guide and listen to the stories carved by the years. 🧳Preparation before departure: Bring comfortable walking shoes, prepare some lightweight sunscreen products, and a bottle of water to keep hydrated. ❤Recommended reason: Dai County Confucius Temple is not only a treasure trove of architectural art, but also an excellent place to experience traditional Chinese culture and Confucian thought. 🌟Highlights: There are many stone tablets in the Confucius Temple, each of which records the mark of history, and those exquisite wood carvings and stone carvings are even more breathtaking. 🍲Recommended food: After playing, you might as well taste the local snacks, such as Dai County pancakes, tofu brains, etc., and let your taste buds also take a journey through time and space. 💗Other tips: Some areas in the Confucius Temple may require additional tickets, it is recommended to check relevant information in advance. At the same time, respect cultural relics and do not touch or climb ancient buildings. Dai County Confucius Temple, a cultural sanctuary waiting for you to savor, let us embark on this journey through thousands of years together!

The Dai Prefecture Wenmiao is located next to the Dai County Bus Station. It was originally built during the Tang Dynasty as a Confucian academy. The temple consists of three courtyards. The main buildings in the front courtyard include the Lingxing Gate, Ji Gate, and Pan Pond. The central courtyard is the main structure of the Wenmiao, housing the Dacheng Hall dedicated to the worship of Confucius. The hall is resplendent with gold and jade, and its layout is spacious. The rooms on either side of the Dacheng Hall were originally places for students to study. The rear courtyard is dedicated to the worship of Confucian scholars throughout history. The main structure of the Wenmiao faces south and is divided into front, middle, and rear courtyards. The rear courtyard houses the Chongsheng Shrine, which is dedicated to the disciples of Confucius and great Confucian scholars throughout history. From the rear courtyard, one enters the central courtyard, where the Dacheng Hall is located directly to the north. This hall is dedicated to the great sage of Confucianism, Confucius. Exiting through the small gates on either side of the central courtyard, one arrives at the front courtyard. Directly north in the front courtyard is the Ji Gate, which faces the Lingxing Gate, a six-pillar, five-story pavilion. Between the Ji Gate and the Lingxing Gate, there are the Pan Pond and the Xingju Pond. In front of the Lingxing Gate of the Wenmiao, there is the Wanren Archway. On either side of the Wanren Archway, there are the Yangsheng and Chongxian Archways, symmetrically positioned to the east and west. To the east and west of the Wenmiao, there are the Zhongyi Shrine, Wenchang Pavilion, Minglun Hall, and Jie Xiao Shrine.

The largest state Confucian temple in North China—Dai County Confucian Temple|||Explore the historic Dai County Confucian Temple in Shanxi, a symbol of ancient Chinese education and culture. - The Dai State Confucian Temple is located in the southwest corner of Dai County town, established during the Tang Dynasty. It was burned down in the 18th year of the Yuan Dynasty's Zhi Zheng era (1358) due to warfare. In the 27th year of Zhi Zheng (1367), the prefect Li Yuanfeng initiated a fundraising campaign for reconstruction. The construction was completed in August of the second year of the Ming Dynasty's Hongwu era (1369), forming a classical architectural complex covering over 15,000 square meters. It is the largest and best-preserved state Confucian temple in North China. Dai County Confucian Temple is famous for its exquisite architecture and rich historical stories. - The Confucian temple faces south and is divided into three courtyards: front, middle, and back. From front to back, there are the Wan Ren Fang, Ling Xing Gate, Da Cheng Gate, Da Cheng Hall, and the Jing Yi Pavilion in the back courtyard. In May 2006, it was listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit, with each part reflecting the ingenuity of ancient craftsmen. - The Confucian temple is not only a memorial site for Confucius and Confucianism but also the cultural heart of Dai County and even Shanxi. - Since ancient times, the Confucian temple has always been an important place for scholars to lecture and exchange ideas. - Today, the Confucian temple continues to educate and inspire a new generation, passing on Chinese culture.

In ancient times, Dai Prefecture was the last city inside the Yanmen Pass, and beyond it was the frontier. It has a history of 2300 years that can be traced through historical records. Lonely Planet has called it 'Shanxi's last living ancient city.' The ancient city is not large, but it has 3 national protected sites: Jingbian Tower: A Ming Dynasty relic, it is the largest existing wooden drum tower in China, hailed as: 'North China's number one tower, the Great Wall's number one tower!' The front plaque 'Sound Heard in All Directions' and the back plaque 'Majestic Influence Over Three Passes' are the largest wooden plaques in Asia. Wen Temple: The largest existing state-level Wen Temple in North China, with two exquisitely crafted plaques at the entrance. The main hall is a Yuan Dynasty relic, and the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) caisson in the center of the hall is rare in China. Ashoka Pagoda: Currently a Yuan Dynasty relic, it is a fine example of an inverted bowl-style pagoda. Liang Sicheng called it 'the best-proportioned among the existing bottle-shaped pagodas in China.' It is the northernmost of the nineteen Ashoka pagodas in China and is a pagoda for the true body relics of Sakyamuni. Jingbian Tower and Wen Temple have a joint ticket: 40 yuan. Ashoka Pagoda is located within the county government compound and can be freely entered and exited. Next to the pagoda is the Wenchang Temple, which is relatively small in scale. The city wall at the West Gate is the only remaining section of the city wall in Dai Prefecture. The city tower and the barbican are both later reconstructions. Other provincial and county protected sites are relatively small in scale, and if you have time, you can casually stroll around.