At 9 a.m. on September 28, 2026, bells and drums resounded in solemn harmony at Bishan Confucian Temple in Chongqing, where the highly anticipated Opening Ceremony and Confucius Memorial Rite of Bishan Confucian Temple, themed Rites and Music Revived, Confucian Grace in Bishan, was grandly held. Relevant district leaders, heads of various departments and sub-districts, representatives from local universities, cultural and historical experts, descendants of Confucius, Party representatives, deputies to the People’s Congress and members of the CPPCC gathered at the temple to jointly witness this important historic moment for cultural development in Bishan. As a seasoned specialist who takes part in ritual ceremonies across the country, Kong Jun, the 76th-generation descendant of Confucius from the Academy of Sacred Rites and Music, was invited to serve as cultural and artistic advisor.

Bishan Confucian Temple is the only well-preserved Confucian temple surviving in Chongqing. It stands as a precious historical and cultural relic of the city, embodying the profound local heritage of revering scholars and prioritizing education. To deliver a successful ceremony, Kong Jun set off for Chongqing on September 13 for on-site inspection. She held in-depth discussions with the Chongqing Cultural and Tourism Group and officials of relevant government departments to advance preparation work. On September 23, Kong Jun and her three companions arrived in Chongqing to prepare for the rite. She provided advisory guidance covering everything from the display of sacrificial vessels and the wearing of traditional costumes to the overall procedures of the opening ceremony and the Confucius Memorial Rite.

During the preparation phase, Kong Jun conducted thorough exchanges on the progress and cultural significance of the rite with leading officials of Bishan District People’s Government, cultural and historical experts, researchers of rites and music, as well as performers on site.

The Opening Ceremony and Confucius Memorial Rite of Bishan Confucian Temple officially commenced at 9 a.m. on September 28. Zhang Chuan, Deputy District Chief of Bishan District People’s Government, presided over the ceremony. Ren Xianzhi, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Bishan District Committee and Director of the Publicity Department, Zhang Zhong, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the District People’s Congress, Yong Xiang, Vice Chairman of the District Committee of the CPPCC, and Kong Fanping, representative of Confucius descendants, presented flower baskets and bowed three times in tribute. The atmosphere was both reverent and warm, with local residents gathering voluntarily to witness the grand occasion.

The Opening Ceremony and Confucius Memorial Rite of Bishan Confucian Temple concluded successfully. Bishan Confucian Temple bears witness to the enduring inheritance of Confucian culture in the Bayu region and boasts notable value for the study of classical Confucian temple architectural forms. Far more than a visual and cultural feast, the Confucius Memorial Rite at Bishan Confucian Temple carries forward and promotes China’s fine traditional culture, adding a magnificent chapter to the cultural undertakings of Bishan District.

Kong Jun
A native of Qufu, Shandong — the hometown of Confucius — Kong Jun is a 76th-generation descendant of the Confucius lineage, the rightful heir to the tradition of Kong Family ceremonial music, and the founder of the artistic exchange team dedicated to the Kong Family guqin tradition and the authentic sounds of classical ceremonial music.

She currently serves as Instructor at the Zhisheng Ritual and Music Transmission Institute of the Qufu Confucius Academy, Secretary-General of the Confucius Artists Association, Council Member of the Jining Guqin Society, Founder of Xiaoshao Guqin Studio, and Instructor at the Confucius Guqin Cultural Exchange Center. She also holds the concurrent position of Deputy Director of the Qufu Poetry, Ritual, and Ceremonial Music Troupe. Kong Jun stands as a leading figure in the living transmission of China’s Kong Family qin scholarship and ancient classical ritual music.

Immersed since childhood in the ritual and musical heritage of Que Li — the sacred birthplace of Confucius — Kong Jun has inherited the profound foundations of the Kong Family tradition of qin music. She has devoted herself to intensive study of such rare and canonical works of Kong Family qin scholarship and musical temperament as the Dacheng Yuelü Quanshu (Complete Compendium of Great Achievement Music and Temperament) and the Qinyuan Xinchuan Quanbian (Complete Transmission of the Qin Garden). Through years of dedicated effort, she has focused on the textual research, restoration, recomposition, and performance of long-lost Kong Family guqin compositions and chapters of the Great Achievement Ceremonial Music. She has accurately revived the ancient playing techniques of the Kong Family guqin and the balanced tonal principles of classical ceremonial music, fully preserving the orthodox lineage of Kong Family qin music and resolving numerous challenges that once threatened the continuity of this ancient musical tradition. Through her work, the authentic sounds of Kong Family qin music, once on the verge of extinction, have been brought back to vibrant life.

For guqin instruction, guqin purchase, traditional Chinese culture study programs, educational tours to the hometown of Confucius, Confucius memorial ceremonies, cultural and artistic exchanges, lectures, and related events, please contact: chinaguqin@outlook.com .Address: Confucius Cultural Park, Dacheng Road, Qufu City, Shandong Province, China.