Virtual Reconstruction Applications to Support the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Two Case Studies of Temple Sites in Qufu and Beijing

In ancient China, the Confucius temple was a place to worship and spread Confucianism. Nowadays, the renovations and restorations of Confucius temples are deployed on different levels. Researching the temples promotes the protection and development of Confucianism and traditional culture. Recording cultural heritage is a tool used to aid in preservation; this paper explores Confucius temples’ spatial elements, architectural layout, and evolution. Through the HBIM (Historic Building Information Modeling) tool, the paper examines case studies of Confucius temples in Qufu and Beijing that are protected at different levels. The study’s results strengthen the digital presentation of the structure and hierarchy of ancient Chinese society, thus finding a foundation in theory and practice for further research of Confucius temples worldwide.