Gongcheng County (恭城县) is located in the southeastern part of Guilin City, approximately 108 kilometers from the city center. The county is home to several significant ancient architectural complexes that are key cultural heritage sites in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including the Confucius Temple, the Martial Arts Temple, the Zhou Wang Temple, and the Hunan Guild Hall. These historical sites create a rich cultural atmosphere reflecting the themes of literature, martial arts, governance, commerce, and local sentiments.
Notably, the Confucius and Martial Arts Temples, built during the Ming Dynasty, are grand and magnificent, earning Gongcheng the nickname “Little Qufu of South China” due to their impressive architecture.
In addition to its historical and cultural attractions, Gongcheng has recently developed ecological agricultural tourism sites such as Daling Mountain, Hengshan Mountain, and Hongyan. The county is also renowned for its vast peach orchards and various unique fruit farms, adding vibrant colors to the landscape and enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination.
Travel Information about Gongcheng County
Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
Ticket Prices:
- Confucius Temple: 20 RMB
- Martial Arts Temple: 25 RMB
Opening Hours:
- Daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- On the 13th day of the fifth lunar month, a temple fair is held at the Martial Arts Temple Square.
Access to the Scenic Area
Location: Gongcheng County, Guilin City.
Transportation: There are convenient bus services available from Guilin to Gongcheng.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Experience: ★★★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★★
- Leisure Activities: ★★★
- Romantic Atmosphere: ★★
- Adventure: ★★
- Unique Features: ★★
Highlights of Gongcheng County
Confucius Temple
The Confucius Temple in Gongcheng County was built to honor Confucius, a renowned politician, philosopher, and educator in China. Established during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, it is the best-preserved Confucian temple in Guangxi and one of the four major Confucian temples in the country. The temple faces south, overlooking the Tea River and backed by Yinshi Mountain, constructed in a terraced layout that exudes a solemn and majestic atmosphere.
The temple features two gates marked “Literary and Military Officials Dismount Here,” emphasizing its solemnity. Inside, there is a spacious platform called the “Apricot Platform” (Xing Tan), also known as the “Open Platform,” which is said to be the location where Confucius taught. The Hall of Great Achievement (Da Cheng Dian), the main structure of the temple, boasts a high, curved roof with multiple eaves and intricate ridge decorations. It is adorned with mud sculptures, colorful paintings, and covered with glazed tiles, presenting a magnificent sight.
Behind the Hall of Great Achievement is the Chongsheng Shrine, which houses the ancestral tablets of Confucius’ five generations of ancestors. The architectural design of the Chongsheng Shrine and the Hall of Great Achievement is meticulous, with distinct variations in size and height.
The performance stage is the essence of the temple’s architecture; it serves as a martial arts arena. The stage has a stone base, while the upper structure is entirely wooden. Underneath the stage, 36 water tanks were placed, and when drums and gongs are played, the sound reflects from the tanks at various angles, concentrating in the coffered ceiling to create resonance. This amplification can carry the sound for miles, showcasing the historical achievements of ancient Chinese laborers in acoustics.
Martial Temple
Located to the left of the Confucius Temple is the Martial Temple, in Gongcheng County. Together, the Confucius Temple and the Martial Temple divide Yinshi Mountain into two ridges, one to the east and one to the west. The harmonious relationship between the two temples enhances their individual significance.
The Martial Temple, also known as the Guan Di Temple, was established during the Ming Dynasty. It features various structures, including a performance stage, rain pavilion, front hall, main hall, and rear hall, dedicated to the worship of Guan Yu, a famous general from the Three Kingdoms period. Unlike most temples, the Martial Temple does not have a main entrance; visitors enter through side doors, which bear the inscriptions “Loyalty to the Emperor and Love for the Country” and “Benefit the World and Ensure Peace for the People.” These phrases reflect the moral standards of Guan Yu.
The entire building is designed with multiple eaves and a sloping roof, adorned with decorative ridge sculptures depicting dragons and phoenixes, along with vibrant scenes of the Eight Immortals, figures, flowers, and birds, all vividly brought to life. The yellow and green glazed tile roof of the Martial Temple blends seamlessly with the Confucius Temple, creating a magnificent sea of radiant colors beneath Yinshi Mountain. The Gongcheng Martial Temple is one of the best-preserved Guan Di Temples in Guangxi, often referred to as the “Crown of Temples in Guangxi.”
Relationship Between Confucius Temple and Martial Temple
According to local legend, the reason the ancestors of Gongcheng County placed the Confucius Temple on the left and the Martial Temple on the right is rooted in ancient Chinese traditions. In these traditions, the left side is associated with the east, representing yang, vitality, and honor. Thus, the Confucius Temple was built on the left to signify reverence for culture. Conversely, the right side corresponds to the west, representing yin and death, hence the Martial Temple was constructed on the right to denote a restraint on martial prowess.
The proximity of the two temples symbolizes the harmony of yin and yang, as well as the balance between civil and martial virtues. This arrangement reflects the dual cultural spirit of the Chinese nation: valuing both scholarship and martial strength, with a preference for culture preceding martial pursuits.
Uniquely, the Confucius Temple and the Martial Temple are located on the same site in Gongcheng, making this arrangement unprecedented across the country. The Martial Temple is situated at the foothills of Yinshi Mountain to the west of Gongcheng County, directly adjacent to the Confucius Temple. The selection of the temple sites demonstrates careful consideration, as they occupy two ridges of the same mountain, separated by a distance of 50 meters, while remaining close and complementary to each other.
Interestingly, the Confucius Temple is oriented 6 degrees east of south, while the Martial Temple is oriented 45 degrees east of south. If the central axes of both temples are extended, their intersection points are located 100 meters from the Martial Temple and 110 meters from the Confucius Temple, further illustrating their harmonious alignment.
Zhou Wei Shrine
The Zhou Wei Shrine, also known as Zhou Wang Temple or Jiaying Temple, is located on Jixiang Street in Gongcheng County. It is dedicated to the worship of Zhou Wei, a Song Dynasty imperial censor. The shrine was originally built in the 14th year of the Chenghua reign (1478) during the Ming Dynasty and underwent renovations in the first year of the Yongzheng reign (1723) during the Qing Dynasty.
The shrine complex consists of several structures, including a stage (which has since been destroyed), an entrance gate, a main hall, a rear hall, and flanking side rooms. This architectural layout reflects the traditional design of ancestral temples in honor of revered figures from Chinese history.
The entrance gate of Zhou Wei Shrine is the essence of the entire temple. It features a five-bay structure with a double-eaved hip roof, showcasing distinctive characteristics of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. The gate is constructed using a combination of three forms: the base dou, the crossed dou, and the mandarin duck crossed dou, creating a rigorous and orderly double-eave design that resembles a honeycomb, earning it the nickname “Beehive Pavilion.”
The brackets (dougong) used in the gate primarily serve a decorative function, as the weight of the upper roof is entirely supported by the internal cross-beam structure. The individual dougong resemble chicken feet, allowing for smooth airflow through the upper eaves, which can sometimes create a rumbling sound. This natural phenomenon prevents birds from nesting in the structure, effectively protecting it from pests and birds. The gate serves as a valuable physical example for modern studies of ancient architecture.
Every year on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, a grand commemorative event is held in the county and surrounding villages to celebrate Zhou Wei’s birthday. Locals perform plays in front of the temple to pay homage, and households along the streets offer sacrifices and set up altars. A procession carries Zhou Wei’s statue, accompanied by music and drums, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
Who is Zhou Wei:
Zhou Wei, a native of Lu Kou Village in Gongcheng, was a scholar who rose to the position of Imperial Censor. He was deeply concerned about the welfare of his hometown, advocating for tax reductions, revising land taxes, and promoting education by establishing schools for children. During his tenure, Zhou Wei was known for his integrity, love for the people, and unwavering stance against corruption. He was respected and beloved by the locals wherever he served.
Despite his high-ranking position, Zhou Wei lived a modest life, poor and devoid of wealth. After his passing, due to his financial struggles and inability to afford a proper burial, Emperor Zhenzong of Song expressed deep sorrow for his plight. Recognizing Zhou Wei’s dedication to public service and his remarkable achievements, the court posthumously honored him with the title of “Loyal and Beneficent King.”
The people of his hometown, grateful for his compassion and integrity, voluntarily raised funds to build a temple and erect a statue in his honor to commemorate him forever.
Hunan Guild Hall
The Hunan Guild Hall is located adjacent to the Zhou Wei Shrine and was built in the eleventh year of the Tongzhi era (1872) during the Qing Dynasty. It was constructed through the collective funding of Hunan compatriots living in the area. The hall comprises an entrance gate, a stage, a main hall, corridors, a rear hall, and side rooms. Due to its unique structure, intricate design, and rich decorations featuring various floral and human motifs, it is affectionately known as “the standout flower of the Hunan Guild Hall.”
The Hunan Guild Hall is the only one among the “Four Great Guild Halls” of Gongcheng (the others being the Guangdong Guild Hall, Fujian Guild Hall, and Jiangxi Guild Hall) that has been preserved intact to this day. The overall layout of the hall is meticulously arranged, with red walls and yellow tiles that shine like gold. Its flying eaves stretch towards the sky, creating a magnificent sight. The main hall is lavishly decorated, with numerous floral murals, finely carved eaves, and creatively designed painted walls.
Inside the Hunan Guild Hall, visitors can admire the “First Pot of Bagui” – a purple clay teapot – as well as various tea ceremonies and cultural performances. Guests can enjoy unique Yao cuisine, including oil tea snacks, and savor Chinese tea while appreciating the Yao people’s 2,000-year-old Nuo dance.
Daling Mountain Peach Garden
Daling Mountain Peach Garden is located in Daling Mountain Village, Xiling Township, Gongcheng. Every March, the mountains are covered in blooming peach blossoms, painting Daling Mountain in shades of pink and attracting visitors from near and far. Spring is the best time to visit Daling Mountain to admire the peach blossoms.
Additionally, autumn is another great season to experience Daling Mountain, as the fruits become fragrant during this time, offering a delightful experience that leaves guests enchanted by the bountiful harvest.