Temple of Literature

On By Sanne & Araldo

The temple of literature is a temple in Hanoi dedicated to Confusius. It was built in 1070 and hosts the first national university of Vietnam, used to educated noble, royal and the elite. The university remaind open until 1776 [source: Wikipedia].

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The main entrance of the temple grounds.
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The temple is divided in five courtyards. The first two have some ponds with waterlilies in it bushes shaped into the twelve animals of the zodiac.
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There are also some ancient threes.

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This one has been here for a while.
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A gate between the courtyards.
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One of the corridors around the courtyards.
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You can find almost hundred turtles each with a large stone on its back around the 3rd courtyard. The turtle is one of the four holy creatures (the others being the Phoenix, Unicorn and Dragon). The Turtle symbolizes wisdom and longevity. The stones carry the names of the graduates that have passed the royal exam.
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Many graduates doing selfies and stuff. Too late to get their own stone.
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Miniature of two people playing go below a bonsai three.
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In the back of temple at the 5th courtyard the imperial academy can be found with the large drum next to it.
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Altar for Chu Văn An, who was once the rector of the imperial academy. I guess he must have liked cookies very much.
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Someone doesn't want her picture taken. Too bad.
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We went through the park adjacent to the temple for a shortcut without traffic but we found out it has only one entrance/exit. Like all men, Araldo thinks he is right most of the times and told me in a convinced way that there was an exit, I saw none but he didn't believe me of course. And so, we had a go back but it's alright because we saw some cute dogs on the way (and a sausage dog of course). Luv ya drol 😉

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