Temple of Confucius
Dacheng Hall
Dacheng Hall is the architectural center of the present day complex. The hall covers an area of 54 by 34 meters and stands slightly less than 32 m tall. It is supported by 28 richly decorated pillars -- each 6 m high and 0.8 m in diameter and carved into one piece out of local rock. The 10 columns on the front side of the hall are decorated with coiled dragons. It is said that these columns were covered during visits by the emperor in order so as not to arouse his envy.
Decorated pillars
Dacheng Hall served as the principal place for offering sacrifices to the memory of Confucius. In the center of the courtyard in front of Dacheng Hall stands the "Apricot Platform", or Xing Tan, which commemorates Confucius teaching his students under an apricot tree. Each year at Qufu and at many other Confucian temples, a ceremony is held on Sept 28 to commemorate Confucius' birthday.
Source: http://www.foreignercn.com
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