Wuwei Confucius Temple

Gansu


This large Ming-era temple complex divides into two sections: the Confucian Temple and the Wenchang Hall, both fine examples of traditional architecture. An important stele featuring the extinct Xixia language carved onto one side and a Chinese translation on the other served as a sort of Rosetta stone that allowed researchers to understand the once unintelligible Xixia texts. The stele is today housed in the museum (free with temple ticket) on the left flank of the square as you exit the temple.

The ticket window is on the southeast corner of the complex, on Chongwen Jie.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gansu attractions

1. Xixia Museum

0.07 MILES

This museum facing the Confucian Temple is dedicated to the Xixia (Western Xia; 1038–1277), the kingdom established by the Tangut people in a region…

2. Kumarajiva Pagoda

0.74 MILES

This elegant 12-storey brick pagoda dates from AD 488 and is surrounded by a tranquil complex of both unpainted and colourful wooden temple halls with old…

3. Leitai Tomb & Park

1.28 MILES

The pride and joy of the city, the bronze Flying Horse of Wuwei (飞马, Fēimǎ) was discovered here in 1969 and is the unofficial symbol of Gansu. It was…

4. Haizang Temple

2.56 MILES

A fascinating active monastery with a minute pavilion to the right of the entrance containing a well whose ‘magic waters’ (神水, shénshuǐ) are said to…

5. Changchengxiang Great Wall

15.84 MILES

Running between fields near the village of Changchengxiang (itself named after the Great Wall), this section of Great Wall makes for an interesting…

6. Tiantishan Grottoes

25.41 MILES

By the Huangyanghe Reservoir (黄羊河水库, Huángyánghé Shuǐkù), it's hard to appreciate how massive the 15m-high Shakyamuni Buddha statue at Tiantishan Grottoes…