The Confucius Temple isn't a secret, but it sees so few visitors, it seems like it is. This structure is as much museum as it is temple. It was built during the time of Kublai Khan in honor of Confucius, whose ideas have influenced China for more than 2,000 years. It also commemorates generations of scholars who passed grueling three-day exams—perhaps the world's first civil-service tests—to join the ruling elite and serve the imperial court. On the grounds are 198 tablets inscribed with the names of the successful candidates. It also is the site of the former Imperial College, where the emperor went to pay his respects to Confucius and to lecture on the classics. Compared with the crowded Lama Temple, this is a wonderful, quiet place to visit, especially in spring and autumn. Daily 8:30 am-4:30 pm. 10 yuan. Guozijian Jie, Andingmennei, Dongcheng District, Beijing. Phone 8401-1977.
