Taipei Confucius Temple, Taipei (must see)

The Taipei Confucius Temple, located in Datong District, is a place of reverence for Confucianism. It was constructed in 1879 during the Qing Dynasty, shortly after the establishment of Taipeh Prefecture in 1875. Interestingly, the temple faced a period of turmoil during the Japanese occupation, as it was torn down. However, in 1930, a man named Wang Yi-Shun undertook the task of rebuilding it.

The newly reconstructed temple was in use for just a few years when World War II erupted. During this time, the Japanese authorities prohibited traditional Chinese ceremonies within the temple, replacing them with Japanese Shinto rituals and music. This situation persisted until 1945 when Taiwan transitioned from Japanese rule to the Republic of China.

Following this transfer of authority, the temple had a temporary role hosting the Examination Yuan until 1951 when it was relocated to Muzha District. In more recent times, visitors to the temple were required to adhere to social distancing measures, and the number of visitors was regulated to ensure safety.

Every year on September 28, a ceremony featuring traditional music and stylized dancing is conducted at the temple in honor of Confucius. Additionally, it serves as a place where students, accompanied by their parents, come to seek blessings before taking their college entrance exams.