Confucian Temple, Imperial College being repaired

Over 120 members from 80 Chinese and foreign media organizations visited the Confucian Temple and adjacent Guozijian (Imperial College) here Wednesday, to learn how this ancient city is protecting its cultural heritage.

Located in Dongcheng District, the two institutions were built seven centuries ago and are now part of a major betterment program.

The Confucian Temple was completed in 1306. Two years later, Guozijian was also inaugurated, to follow the ancient convention of placing the "Temple on the Left and College on the Right." People have regarded the building cluster as an outstanding cultural representation that can match the Forbidden City. In 1988, the two buildings joined the list of the second passel of important cultural relics to be protected at the state-level.

Covering an area of 22,000 sq m with a construction space of 7,400 sq m, the temple has undergone repairs during different dynasties. The emperors used it to offer national sacrifices to Confucius.

The current repair project involves the recovery of the temple's middle pathway and the conversion of its wing rooms into an exhibition hall on Confucius. The hall will introduce his life, the spread of Confucianism, and the Confucian temples in China and abroad.

With a floor space of 1,100 sq m, Guozijian was the highest administrative organ supervising educational affairs and the highest national educational academy for over seven centuries. It was also the only institution to admit foreign students, including those from Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Russia, and Ryukyu Islands over the centuries.