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The Confucian
Temple
Situated
in the northwestern corner of the county
seat, the temple was built in the 22nd year
of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1285).
After being repeatedly renovated and expanded
in later generations, it now occupies an
area of 114 mu (7.6 hectares). At present
there are a great hall, a pavilion, a two-storeyed
pavilion, two wing rooms, two central halls,
three memorial halls and eight decorative
archways. The buildings are set in a magnificent
way, with glistening glazed-tile roofs,
and the temple is considered the best of
its kind in the province. The Great Hall
of Magnificent Achievements (Dachengdian)
in particular is the most impressive of
all. The whole building is supported by
28 giant pillars, of which 20 are carved
out of black marble. The two pillars supporting
the eaves left and right of the gate are
skillfully carved in the shape of two dragons
soaring into the clouds, and is called "stone
dragons entwining the stone pillar".
It is regarded as a treasured artistic creation
of great value. This Confucian Temple is
one of the grandest throughout China and
has been classified as an important cultural
relic under provincial protection.
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