Treasures of China: Stele Forest at the Confucius Temple and Imperial Academy in Beijing.

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Treasures of China is a celebration of dramatic contrasts, a unique blend of cultural journeys and far-flung destinations where a world of adventure awaits.

Every once in a while you come across a place that sets your imagination on fire. In September 2015 I felt that way at the Confucius Temple and the Imperial Academy in Beijing. The trees, temples and grounds are peaceful and solemn in the heart of a neighborhood of hutongs. 

I was with a graduate of Beijing Sihai Confucius Academy during my visit. Ms. Liu told me that students like her were required to memorize the texts and even copy the calligraphy for handwriting exercise.

Higher learning has been the foundation of this place for centuries. This is the second-largest Confucian temple in all of China. The Great Sage Confucius has been honored since ancient times as China’s First Teacher. All around me I found a profound sense of tradition.

What really caught my attention was the stele forest. A stele is an upright stone slab that has been inscribed and used as a monument or commemorative wall. 

The stele forest contains the text of the Thirteen Classics. 

I beheld before me the Analects, Book of Documents, Classic of Filial Piety, Mencius, Book of Changes and more, all inscribed on tall stone slabs. 

It took 11 years for an imperial scholar to copy the manuscripts -and 4 years to engrave them. 

The emperor himself would conduct lessons on Confucian ethics while seated in a great hall. His words would he relayed by senior ranking officials to lower ranking officials, from the inner to outer halls and finally to scholars seated outside.

I was amazed- and pleasantly surprised. Who wouldn’t be?

The Confucius Temple and Imperial Academy in Beijing is about a great philosopher and teacher of ethics, morality and justice that transcends time and national boundaries. The Stele Forest is worth a visit. Set among beautiful and classical Chinese temples, serene cypress trees and water features, this is another treasure of China you won’t want to miss.