Wenmiao

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.