Penghu Confucius Temple (Wenshi Academy) Introduction
Wenshih Academy is the only academy in Penghu and the oldest school, founded in the 31st year of the Qianlong reign (1766). It was later damaged during the Sino-French War. In the early period of Japanese rule, Wenshih Academy was converted into a field hospital, and after the hospital was removed, the academy was reconstructed into the Penghu Confucius Temple. It is located next to the Penghu Living Museum on Xingsheng Road in Magong City, serving as the origin of education in Penghu. The academy is named Wenshih because of the abundant availability of literati stones in Penghu. When it was first established, it enshrined the God of Examinations, which is why it was also called "Kuaixing Tower." It has undergone several renovations over the years. In 1895, local residents transformed Wenshih Academy into a Confucius Temple to preserve the inherent culture of the Chinese nation. In 1999, the Penghu County Government allocated a budget for renovation, resulting in its current appearance, and it is thus also referred to as the "Penghu Confucius Temple." Upon entering the main gate of Wenshih Academy, one can immediately see the towering stone tablet along the boundary wall, though the text on the Shilang Stele has been worn down. The architecture of Wenshih Academy follows traditional Qing Dynasty styles, featuring a standard two-story pavilion with elements including Daching Hall, the east and west wings, Dacheng Gate, Lingxing Gate, and Chongsheng Shrine, preserving the traditional architectural style. [Recommended stay time] 1 hour.
