Hsinchu Confucius Temple 新竹孔廟

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Hsinchu's Confucius Temple is one of the oldest in Taiwan, and also one of the best preserved. It was originally planned for demolition in 1955 but was saved by residents who convinced local officials to move it to its current location in Zhongshan Park. 

Background:
Hsinchu's Confucius Temple was completed in 1817, during the Qing Dynasty in Taiwan. At the time, the city of Hsinchu was known as Zhuluo. Confucius temples during the Qing Dynasty were important symbols of civilization and culture, so the early Han settlers in Taiwan were eager to build such institutions in their newly settled land. 
After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1895, the temple was used as a dormitory and base for militia and was later converted into a public school, including dormitories and classrooms. 
After the ROC took control of Taiwan, the temple was also used by the military for some time.
Originally the temple was located near Chenghuang Temple and stood in the middle of a sprawling market. For the market to expand, the Confucius temple was planned for demolition in 1955 to be replaced with more market and road space, however protests from local people helped to preserve it from destruction, but there were still plans to move the building. However, when not enough money could be raised to move the building, local merchants who set up shop near the temple donated nearly 1 million NT at the time to preserve it. 
The temple was moved to Zhongshan Park and became much smaller than it's original size, built on a smaller plot of land. The original temple stood where the current Hsinchu City Administration Building now stands. The temple was also restored again in 1986, 1999, and 2013.

Hours:
8 AM to 5 PM

Price:
Free

Tours: 
You can find more tours and activities in Hsinchu such as You can find more tours and activities in Hsinchu such as river tracing, wild hot springs, white water kayaking, backpack rafting, Little Ding Dong Theme Park, Leofoo Village Theme Park, Window on China Theme Park, glamping, camping, stone spa, horse riding, Yukids Island, Tom and Bei Bei Parent Child Paradise, bee keeping experience, cycling, dried persimmons experience, Jump Wave Trampoline Park and more on Klook here or KKday here. 

Where to stay:
Most of the accommodation you will find is near the city center.  If you will only visit downtown, you can consider a day trip from Taipei.
We have stayed at and recommend the Golden Motel a high quality motel near Green Grass Lake (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here), and CD Motel, another high quality motel in downtown Hsinchu (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here). Unfortunately I cannot recommend any further hotels that I have stayed at in Hsinchu because usually we stay at my wife's uncle's house. 
You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.  
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. 

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. 
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. ​

How to get there:
By car/scooter: From central Hsinchu, turn on to Shipin Road, and park near the south side of Hsinchu Park. There is an underground parking lot and paid parking on the side of the road. The temple is at the south side of the park. If you are looking for car rentals in Hsinchu, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
​Looking for scooter rental in Hsinchu? You can search Klook here or KKday here to look for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
By TRA: Hsinchu Confucous temple is only a ten minute walk from Hsinchu TRA station; it lies south of the station in Hsinchu Park. You can book tickets to travel to Hsinchu via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Hsinchu via high speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 


Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have been to Hsinchu's Confucious temple many times. It is within walking distance of my wife's relative's house and also in walking distance of Hsinchu City Zoo and Flower Market. I feel that it is one of the best preserved historical buildings in Hsinchu, and you can hardly tell that the building was moved from its original location. 

In front of the temple is a large square where you can often find children riding bikes. It is one of the few safe places in the city for little kids to ride around freely. 

View closer to the temple. 

Full view of the entrance. 

Fish pond in front of the temple. 

View of the main gate. 

Painted motif. 

Another painting. 

View of the freshly painted roof. 

View on the inside. 

View of the main inner temple. 

Side building. 

Another view looking into the main court. 

Looking back at the entrance. 

Names of scholars on the wall. 

Another view of the roof.

View of the main shrine. 

View of the roof above the main shrine. 

More shrines to scholars.

View looking outside. 

Couches in a side room.

View on the back side of the temple. 

Another view from the inner court.

The main doors to the temple. 

Another alleyway.

More photos of the temple in the gallery above. 

Near the temple is also a large playground. 

There is also a large children's park with playground equipment in front of the temple.

You can find more tours and activities in Hsinchu such as river tracing, wild hot springs, white water kayaking, backpack rafting, Little Ding Dong Theme Park, Leofoo Village Theme Park, Window on China Theme Park, glamping, camping, stone spa, horse riding, and more on Klook here or KKday here. 

You can check out our full guide to Hsinchu here.

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. 

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