The Confucian Temple, also known as "Xue" (academy), is a prefectural-level Confucian Temple initiated by Xu Deyu, the first prefect of Zhaotong, in the 10th year of the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty (1732). It is bounded by Wenyuan Street to the south (formerly known as Jintang Street, Confucian Temple Street, and Xue Street) and Gonggu Street to the north (formerly known as Yonggu Street, renamed Zhanjiang Street in the 25th year of the Republic of China, 1936). As a symbol of the dissemination of Confucianism and the imperial examination system for selecting officials in Zhaotong during the Qing Dynasty, the Confucian Temple carries over 290 years of cultural and educational heritage of Zhaotong.
The Dacheng Hall of the Confucian Temple features a single-eave gable and hip roof, with a structure of 5 bays in width and 4 bays in depth. It adopts a timber frame with a raised beam structure, making it a high-ranking building in the official architecture of the Qing Dynasty. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was once used as a grain warehouse. Due to historical changes, the overall architectural complex of Zhaotong Confucian Temple has undergone significant transformations; the remaining structures include the Dacheng Hall, Pan Pool, Zhuangyuan Bridge (Bridge of the Top Scholar), and the main gate reconstructed in the 4th year of the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty (1824). In 2013, it was declared a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit of Zhaotong City.
To continue the unique historical culture of Zhaotong Ancient City and pass down the fine traditional Chinese culture carried by the Confucian Temple from generation to generation, the People's Government of Zhaotong City raised funds in 2024 for the protection and restoration of the Confucian Temple. In accordance with the regulations of Confucian Temples, the East Wing, West Wing, Dacheng Gate, Daoguan Gujin Archway (Virtue Surpassing Past and Present), and Demou Tiandi Archway (Morality Equal to Heaven and Earth) were restored.
