Plan at a glance
Courtyard scope and entrances
Kong Family Southern Branch Ancestral Temple is at No. 96 Xinqiao Street, Kecheng District, Quzhou. It is a separately ticketed Confucian heritage compound. The entrance is about 20 metres from the road outside the temple consultation point, and the exit is in the rear garden; plan the visit as a one-way route rather than walking back from the exit.
Time and tickets
Allow 1–1.5 hours for a complete visit. The adult ticket is currently CNY 10; concessions and free-entry conditions for students, older visitors and minors follow the policy for the day. The temple’s opening hours, consultation-point service and individual ceremonies may use separate arrangements.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Dacheng Hall and Southern Branch architecture
Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall and the two side axes form the main compound. Inside Dacheng Hall, look at the timber structure and imperial plaques. Silu Pavilion preserves distinctive Southern Branch architecture and a carved image of Confucius, making it useful for visitors interested in Confucian ritual and the family’s southward history.
The western axis, red walls and rear garden
The western axis combines red walls, old trees and ancestral buildings that reward a slower look and provide a continuous photography route. The rear garden is the end of the visit; follow the pond and garden path to the exit. Together with the front compound, it completes the temple visit and does not extend across Quzhou old city.
Who will enjoy it
The temple suits history and culture visitors, traditional-architecture photographers and families on an educational visit. There are seats to rest and the walking distance is moderate. In ritual spaces, follow the on-site guidance about quiet, conduct and photography.
Build your day
About 1 hour: the courtyard route
Enter through the temple gate, then visit Dacheng Gate, Dacheng Hall, the western axis, Silu Pavilion and the rear garden before leaving through the rear exit. This compact route suits first-time visitors or anyone placing the temple in the middle of a city walk.
Start with the beams and plaques in Dacheng Hall, then spend more time on the western axis and Silu Pavilion. After leaving through the rear garden, plan the next old-city walk separately; the temple compound and the other city attractions have separate tickets and timing.
1.5–2 hours: both axes and the rear garden
After checking the day’s arrangement at the consultation point, walk through Dacheng Gate and Dacheng Hall, then the western axis with Wuzhi Shrine, Xifeng Shrine and the Six Dukes’ Shrine. Continue via Silu Pavilion, the eastern axis with Chongsheng Shrine and Shengze Tower, and finish at Kong Mansion and the rear garden.
The Worship of Confucius ceremony, interpretation, booklets and cultural products may depend on the date, weather or available places. Treat them as extra elements: complete the courtyard route first and leave time for queues and the journey after the activity ends.
Get there
From Quzhou Station and around the city
A taxi from Quzhou Station takes about 15 minutes to the temple. You can also take the Quzhou Ancient City sightseeing line, bus 21 or bus 39 to Kong Temple stop. The temple, Quzhou Museum and old-city streets are close enough for walking or a shared bicycle to connect several independent stops.
Driving and parking
Navigate to “Kong Family Southern Branch Ancestral Temple.” There is public parking near the site, but old-city spaces are limited. For larger vehicles or holiday visits, keep a nearby commercial car park as a backup and include the walk after parking in your plan.
Know before you go
Opening arrangements and separate tickets
The current visit window is 09:00–18:00, with final entry around 17:30; the consultation point usually begins service earlier. The temple can open on Mondays, while nearby museums may use different closure days. Confirm tickets, concessions, ceremonies and access to individual halls as separate arrangements.
The temple ticket covers the compound only. Quzhou Museum, the China Confucianism Museum, North Gate Street and Water Pavilion Gate require their own time, entrances and ticket arrangements.
Shoes, rest and conduct
There are seats in the compound, but the courtyards can be hot in summer, so light shoes and sun protection are useful. Toilets are near the consultation point and the rear-garden exit; using them before the one-way visit is convenient.
Keep quiet in Dacheng Hall, the shrines and other ritual spaces, follow the on-site directions, and do not touch displays or block the route for photos. In rain or during a temporary change, prioritise the areas that are safely open.