Qufu Attractions

Confucian Temple

Confucian Temple, the former residence of Confucius, is the place for ancient emperors to offer sacrificial services to Confucius. Located in the center of Qufu City, the temple was originally built as early as in 478BC, one year after Confucius death. In the following dynasties, it was rebuilt and expanded many times. There are still 466 halls along three routes in the left, right and middle, pavilions and other rooms intact, covering a total area of 21.8 hectares and is 1,120 meters in length from south to north. The present one was renovated on the basis of that from Ming Dynasty.

Confucian Cemetery

Confucian Cemetery is about 1.5 kilometers north of Qufu and is the graveyard of Confucius and his decedents. It takes up 1.998 million square meters and around it there is a seven-kilometer-long hedge. It's the largest, oldest, and best-preserved single-family cemetery in China. There are 100 thousand tombs since the Zhou Dynasty (1066-221BC) on, the forests of stone steles and 400 tombstones in the cemetery, and the pavilions, towers, halls and archways built in various historical periods are set in a forest. The Confucian Cemetery is also a botanical garden, as there are over 42,000 trees in it, and the planting of trees in it started 2,400 years ago. After Confucius death in 479BC, most of his descendants and clansmen were buried in the cemetery, such as the tombs of his son Kong Li and grandson Kong Ji.

Confucius mansion

Confucius mansion, also named Shengfu, was the residence for Confucian descendants. It is the largest and grandest feudal noble mansion preserved to this day in China was erected during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is also known as Master Yansheng's Mansion because in 1055, or the second year of the reign of Song Dynasty Emperor Zhaozhen, Kong Zongyuan, the 46th generation male descendant of Confucius was given the title "Master Yansheng." The title was passed down to Kong Decheng, the 77th generation male descendant of Confucius. The mansion arranged in three parts has 9 courtyards, 463 halls, towers, and verandas, which covers a total area of 16 hectares.