Hsinchu Confucius Temple Introduction
The original site of the Confucius Temple is in Chenggong Li, built in the 22nd year of the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. It consists of the Dacheng Hall, Lingxing Gate, and East and West verandas, with the deity of Confucius enshrined in the center, accompanied by the Second Sage and 72 wise men to the left and right. Every year during the Teacher's Day ceremony, local gentry and government officials attend to observe, making it a cultural hub in Hsinchu. It is the first building in Zhucheng Town completed with private donations, taking eight years and costing approximately over 20,000 taels. It also served as the academy for Tamsui Subprefecture, allowing students from Zhucheng to take entrance exams starting in the 23rd year of Jiaqing, thus avoiding the long journey to Changhua, which positively influenced the education in the Zhucheng area. During the Japanese occupation, it became the founding site for many schools in Hsinchu, such as Hsinchu Girls' School, Jianhua Junior High School, Hsinchu High School, Hsinchu Girls' High School, and Hsinchu Technical High School. In 1956, the Hsinchu County Council passed a plan to relocate the Confucius Temple, and it was moved and completed on September 28, 1958, to the left side of Zhongshan Park, currently situated within Gong 2 Park near the gymnasium. In front of the temple, there is a semi-circular Pan Pool, and a memorial stone for the relocation is located to the left front of the temple. Currently, visitors can only view the Hsinchu Confucius Temple during the ritual events; at other times, only peripheral viewing is allowed, which is regrettable.
