China: Quanzhou – Confucius Temple & School

Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Confucius Temple and School, dating to 976 AD, is massive complex that combined the state sacrificial temple for Confucius with the highest prefecture-level educational institution. The school trained the elite class of bureaucrats who managed the Site of the Maritime Trade Office (the ancient customs house), connecting traditional philosophy with global commerce. The temple grounds are sprawling yet very austere, there is a large museum on site and the main hall – Dacheng Hall – is most impressive featuring double-eaved roofs, yellow glazed tiles, intricate dragon-entwined stone pillars, and many statues inside. There is also a pond with crescent bridges in the main courtyard.