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The Shanghai Chinese Imperial Examinations Museum is housed in the side halls of Jiading's Confucius Temple. The displays are interesting, tastefully presented and the English captions are surprisingly well-written. I'd say this is an off-the-beaten-path gem well worth visiting if you have extra time in Shanghai.
The museum is divided into a few different sections. It starts with an introduction about the history of the imperial examinations in China, which lasted for more than 1/3 of China's 5000-year history. The candidates also included foreigners, from where is now modern-day Korea (then the Koguryo, Shilla and Baekje kingdoms), India, Japan and even as far as Europe. On show are various reproductions of artefacts related to the subject, as well as information about renowned scholars in history.
Another side hall explains the various stages of the Chinese imperial examinations. These started with the preiiminary examinations (at county, prefecture and academy level), then the provincial, metropolitan and palace examinations. That's a long way to climb to the top! In the same display hall are reproductions of cheating devices such as inner garments covered with miniscule writing.
Admission is combined with Fahua Pagoda and Confucius Temple, a total of 20 RMB. No student price.
Written Jan 7, 2010
Jiading's Confucius Temple was established in the southern Song dynasty. There're some old Chinese juniper trees in the compound which look rather artistic, and some ancient steles near the entrance.
The main hall houses a big statue of Confucius, and on the roof there're mini statues of Confucius -- my American friend said they were baby Confucius! :)
On the left side of the hall are photos of various Confucius Temples in China (eg Nanjing) and also the Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansions and Confucius Forest in Qufu of Shandong province, the birthplace of Confucius. On display are also various instruments used in the rituals honouring Confucius.
On the right side of the hall are small statues of Confucius and his students.
On either side of the big statue of Confucius are small red stands on which are pinned or tied slips of paper (we also saw tissue or napkins substituted for want of better material) on which were written wishes for better results, or entrance into educational institutions of their fancy. We even found slips written by foreigners, at least one from Australia!
Admission is combined with Fahua Pagoda and the Shanghai Imperial Examinations Museum (inside Confucius Temple), a total of 20 RMB. No student price.
Written Jan 6, 2010
Address: 183 Nan Dajie
With a history going all the way back to the southern Song dynasty, the 7-storey Fahua Pagoda (also known as Jinsha Pagoda, or Golden Sand Pagoda) is the traditional centre and highest point of Jiading town. It offers a fine view of Jiading: on a weekend I could see plenty of lively family activity in the town square, and to the left were a patch of old-looking houses in traditional Chinese style.
As with most Chinese pagodas, this was a pain (literally) to climb. I'm only about 165 cm tall but the doorways were lower than my height, plus the stairways were winding, steep and very narrow.
In an adjacent building is the small Jiading Museum, which has some information about notable personalities of Jiading.
Admission is combined with Confucius Temple and the Shanghai Imperial Examinations Museum (inside Confucius Temple), a total of 20 RMB. No student price.
Updated Jan 6, 2010
Address: 349 Nan Dajie
Website: http://www.jiading-museum.com
Huilongtan Park is located opposite Jiading's Confucius Temple. Dating from the Ming dynasty, the pool (Huilongtan) takes its name from the confluence of 5 rivers at this spot, likened to the congregating of 5 dragons. The park itself sprang up around the pool in the early 20th century. Today the park seems to be a popular spot for taking wedding photos on a budget, as well as a congregating point for the elderlies in the vicinity, rather than dragons.
We found 3 particular points of interest in the park.
One was a traditional opera stage which had a magnificent geometric design on the ceiling.
Another was a pagoda of a thousand Buddhas, though I hardly counted so many! Also known as the Stone Buddha Pagoda, this dated from the Song dynasty. It used to be outside Jiading town's south gate, but later moved to its present location after undergoing restoration.
The last is a memorial to 2 local martyrs who were born in the late Ming dynasty, surnamed Hou and Huang. During the early years of the Qing dynasty, the new Qing regime decreed that all men shall shave the front of their heads and wear their hair in a long queue, in the style of the Manchus. Anyone who resisted faced death. Hair was traditionally sacred as it was part of the legacy from parents at birth, meant never to be cut. There was a saying at that time, "leave the head but not the hair, or leave the hair but not the head". Hou and Huang were elected as leaders of the local resistance. They chose to commit suicide and die as martyrs, rather than surrender to the Qing forces who were sent to quell the uprising, in history the infamous "3 Massacres of Jiading".
Admission is 5 RMB, no student price.
Written Jan 6, 2010
Address: 299 Tacheng Lu
Phone: 86-21-59531949
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Huilongtan Park is located opposite Jiading's Confucius Temple. Dating from the Ming dynasty, the pool (Huilongtan) takes its name from the confluence of 5...
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