The Jianshui Temple, the largest Confucian Temple in south China, was recently reopened to Chinese and foreign visitors after one year of renovations.

The temple, built 700 years ago, has more than 100 houses with a total area of 7.6 hectares at Jianshui County in southwest China's Yunnan Province. It ranks second in importance among China's Confucian temples, following the temple in Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, in east China's Shandong Province.

The renovations began in May last year and cost nine million Yuan.

The Hong Kong Confucius Association presented the Jianshui Temple a three-meter-high bronze statue to Confucius, which has been placed at the entrance of the temple.

(People's Daily 06/18/2001)