Beijing’s Confucius Temple, which is quite beautiful, lies on the north side of the city, not far from the 4 star Beijing Ningxia Hotel.

Every day people from all over China come to pay tribute to the man who had had such a profound influence on Chinese history and culture. And you won’t find yourself a better start-off to know China.

As soon as you enter this ancient refuge, you will be amazed by the lush greenness of the trees. Many of them have been there since the time the temple was built, testifying to the reverence the Chinese hold to Confucius.

There 198 large stone tablets lie in rows on each side of the path that leads you to the main courtyard. They record the 51,624 Jingshi scholars who passed the imperial examinations during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

Running the world’s oldest civil service system, these scholars had successfully joined ancient China’s social elite . Before one became a Jingshi scholar and was rewarded a government post, first he had to pass various Confucian exams held at different levels in their home provinces. This was just to enter the final and most important exam – the one supervised by the emperor himself.

The possibility of loose was high: Only one out of a thousand scholars could succeed in passing the imperial exam, and before entering this exam, he would have spent at least ten years to prepare himself. Still, many tried their luck, and if they succeeded, wealth and honor would come with it.

Just past the tablets, a huge gate stands at the entrance to the main courtyard. There you will find a Chinese drum and a bell under the gate. Confucius was a great supporter of harmony among people all his life. But by which means can we achieve that? He said music, which nurtures one’s mind and makes them lovers of peace and harmony.

Enter the main courtyard, and your eyes will immediately drawn by a large, old well. This isn’t just any well; it was named Yanshui by a Qing dynasty emperor. Legend has it that anyone who drinks water from this well will become quick-witted and pass their exams. Come here and you seem to be able to feel the crowd when thousands of Jingshi-scholar wannabes came for the ‘miraculous’ water.

The dominant architecture in the courtyard is Hall of Ultimate Accomplishment, or as the Chinese calls it, Da Cheng Dian. This is where Confucius is remembered and honored. Various emperors had personally written tablets to Confucius to be hanged here. One written by Emperor Kangxi says: The Eternal Mentor.

Like his predecessors, Emperor Kangxi paid annual tribute to Confucius by offering him sacrifices. The emperor would oversee a series of imperial rites, including a dance performed by 64 dancers. The dance was only enjoyed by the most important imperial ancestors. Throughout Chinese history, few figures who were not royals enjoyed such an honor as Confucius did.

Also under the roof are shrines of accomplished Confucius disciples who had helped to bring Confucius doctrine to people in all around the country.

You will find a host of prime hotels in Beijing not far fromthe Confucian temple, some within walking distance. See some of the best hotels in Beijing here.