The Temple of Confucius stands at No. 13 Guozijian Street in Dongcheng District and is China's second-largest temple honoring the philosopher Confucius, after the one in his hometown of Qufu. It was built in 1302 under Emperor Chengzong of the Yuan dynasty, then enlarged twice during the Ming and Qing dynasties, reaching its current area of roughly 20,000 square meters. The complex is arranged in four successive courtyards along a single central axis, including the Gate of the Late Master, the Gate of Great Accomplishment, the Hall of Great Accomplishment, and the Hall for Admiration of the Sage. Until the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, court officials of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties held formal ceremonies here to honor Confucius. Its front courtyard holds 198 stone stelae inscribed with the names of 51,624 scholars who passed the imperial jinshi examinations across the three dynasties. The temple connects directly to the Guozijian, or Imperial Academy, where visitors can stroll among centuries-old trees and ancient stone tablets, absorbing the scholarly, dignified atmosphere that defines this quiet corner of Beijing.