In every way, Qufu is synonymous with Confucius. The wisdom teacher was born here, taught here and was buried here more than 2,000 years ago, prompting the city’s enlistment as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Qufu is profoundly important to the Chinese, but international tourists will find it just as tantalizing. The entire city is an exercise in imperial architecture, laid out in delicate timberwork and cut stone. The main sites are large and much easier to see with a guide.
The main sites are the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion. These were ground zero for the Confucian movement and have developed along with Confucian thought. The major structures have undergone dozens of renovations and a handful of outright rebuilds throughout the years.
Getting There & Away
The fastest way in and out of the region is through Ji’nan, which can be reached in two hours by bus or hire car (with driver). There is a small airport 15 miles north of Ji’nan with quick hour-long connections to Beijing. Travelers can also connect from Qufu to Yanzhou (10 miles west) where there is a train station on the Shanghai Beijing railway.
Things to Do
Qufu Attractions
- Temple of Confucius
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What began as a modest memorial to confucius grew into a massive complex 20 percent the size of qufu town itself.
- Cemetery of Confucius
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Confucius and his sons are buried at the center of this ming dynasty cemetery. tours are by minibus, taking in the gravesites as well as the pavilions and temples.
- Kong Family Mansion
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This maze of opulent halls and passageways is the product of a massive expansion project some 1,500 years ago over the teacher’s already historic residence.
- Confucius Forest
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China’s largest manmade park boasts 100,000 trees and has been the final resting place of confucius descendents over the past 2,000 years.