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Qufu, the ancient capital and hometown of Confucius, is known as the "Holy City of the East" and the "Jerusalem of the East." Located in southwestern Shandong Province, 135 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Jinan, it borders the Sishui River to the east, Yanzhou to the west, Zoucheng to the south, and Mount Tai to the north. Without the influence of Confucius, Qufu might have been just an obscure town in southern Shandong. However, it is precisely because of this great Confucian sage that the city has become synonymous with Confucian culture.
Elements of Confucian culture can be seen everywhere here. The subtle influence of Confucian culture can be seen from the relaxed and moderate hospitality of the locals. Even the streets may have "Li, Yi, Ren, Zhi, Xin" written in seal script. Ancient buildings or antique buildings can be seen everywhere. When you walk into any street, you may hear the sound of reading aloud in the courtyard. "Learning without thinking is useless..." The unique geographical and historical advantages make this place the best choice for Confucian study tours.
The Confucius Mansion, Confucius Temple and Confucius Cemetery in Qufu, collectively known as the "Three Confucius Temples", are national key cultural relics protection units and world cultural heritage sites. Located in the Ming Dynasty Old City of Qufu, they are known as one of the three major ancient architectural complexes in China, along with the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Mountain Resort in Chengde.
Confucius Temple
The Confucius Temple, one of the "Three Kongs," has been a symbol of commemoration of Confucius and the promotion of Confucianism throughout Chinese history. Originally, only a humble old well remained at the time of Confucius' death. Its current size was gradually expanded as his cultural status rose. Walking through long corridors and tiered entrances, one can see towering, red-walled, black-tiled temple halls, a magnificent yet solemn spectacle.
Confucius Mansion
This courtyard, specially designated by the Northern Song Dynasty court as a residence for the direct descendants of Confucius, offers a more vibrant and lively atmosphere than the solemn and awe-inspiring Temple and Cemetery of Confucius. This is the most representative classical architectural complex of Confucian culture, divided into three areas and comprising over 460 rooms. Here, you can enjoy the legendary Confucius Mansion Opera. While merely traditional Peking Opera, this setting offers a profound glimpse into the daily life of the "First Family Under Heaven." Every detail within the Confucius Mansion reveals the legacy of Confucius's thought. It is said that Confucius' descendants have lived here for over a thousand years, starting in the Song Dynasty.
Confucius Forest
The Konglin Cemetery is the exclusive burial ground for Confucius and his family. It's also the world's largest, longest-standing, most numerous, and best-preserved family cemetery, earning it the nickname "The Greatest Forest Under Heaven." Walking along the sacred path lined with lush, ancient cypresses and past the wooden memorial archway of the "Sage Forest," you'll arrive at the final resting place of all of Confucius' descendants. While it might not be as fascinating as the Confucius Mansion and Temple, a visit here offers a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the rise and fall of this great family and the achievements of its remarkable individuals.
(Pictures from the Internet)
(Pictures from the Internet)
Qufu's unique geographical and cultural advantages have fostered a vibrant atmosphere for study and research. Confucian thought permeates every inch of the city, and study tours exploring traditional Confucian culture flourish here. Focusing on the principles of filial piety, brotherly love, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, and honor, children and adults alike can find a Confucian cultural course tailored to their needs, fostering self-cultivation and character development in this small city in southern Shandong.
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to experience various Confucian activities. Here, visitors can experience ancient rituals such as the apprenticeship ceremony, the opening ceremony of the pen, and the entrance ceremony to the imperial court. They can also learn tea art, guqin (Chinese zither), go (Chinese chess), and stone rubbings, and even experience a Han-style wedding.
With the recent rise of study tours, more and more parents are sending their children here, allowing them to connect with history, learn gratitude, and be immersed in traditional Chinese culture, learning how to be polite and courteous. This deeply demonstrates the importance people in today's society place on traditional cultural education. We are gradually rediscovering the "Chinese cultural treasures" we once ignored, and China is gradually embarking on a path of cultural renaissance. Based on this demand for study tours, China-TravelNote has launched study tour itineraries in the Qufu area. Interested parties can click below to learn more.
Located 300 meters south of the Confucius Temple in Qufu, the Confucius Cultural Park is a Confucian cultural theme park. Admission is free throughout the park, and upon entering, you'll be greeted by a majestic statue of Confucius, creating a sense of tranquility from the moment you enter. Compared to the Three Confucian Sites, this park is more tranquil and peaceful, with key attractions including Shanhua Hall, Guangshi Hall, Renshan, and Lehu. The area is small but well-organized. From the Three Confucian Sites, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the crowds and enter the cultural park's Forest of Steles, where you can admire calligraphy by renowned Confucian masters. As you stroll through the park, listening to the birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, you'll occasionally spot children and parents practicing the Six Arts of Confucius in a corner. This is one of the best places in Qufu to experience the ancient rituals of Confucius and the Six Arts, and a perfect location for study.
Located at 15 Chunqiu Road in Qufu's Nanxin District, the Confucius Six Arts City, like its name, showcases Confucius' six arts: ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics. While its decor reflects a period charm, the building is a truly modern creation, utilizing high-tech technologies like sound, light, and electricity to create lighting effects not possible in ancient buildings.
Tips: 1. The price of the combined ticket for the three scenic spots is 140 yuan/person, Confucius Cultural Park: free, Confucius Six Arts City is 50 yuan/person.
2. There will be a city gate opening performance at around 8 o'clock every morning, but you need to grab a good spot about half an hour in advance and be sure to stand on both sides to watch.
3. You may encounter unscrupulous tour guides in Qufu who may lead you to shop. It is recommended that you find a regular tour guide at the ticket office of the scenic spot to explain the situation.
Accommodation options in Qufu are diverse, ranging from youth hostels costing tens of yuan to boutique hotels costing thousands of yuan. Regardless of the price range, the decor often incorporates a touch of retro Chinese style. Qufu's attractions are relatively concentrated, so it's often convenient to stay near the Three Confucius Temples. Below are some recommended hotels with unique characteristics that are close to these scenic spots.
This Confucian-themed hotel, boasting over 30 years of history, is built on the site of the former "Wedding Room" of the Confucius Mansion, a short walk from both the Temple of Confucius and the Confucius Mansion. The hotel features a quadrangular courtyard layout, with rooms and courtyards embodying a classic Chinese style. The exterior and interior décor, even the placement of small items, exude an antique charm and exquisite craftsmanship. Each room includes a booklet introducing Qufu's history and culture. With over 140 standard rooms, even same-day arrivals are possible without worrying about booking a room. As a relatively old hotel, the facilities are still somewhat dated, but considering the ambiance and price, it's highly recommended.
Arriving at Fuzi Guesthouse for the first time, you might mistake it for a tourist attraction. This independent courtyard, situated across the river from the south gate of the Confucius Temple, features a Chinese garden design. Entering the inner courtyard on the right, a row of individual buildings with their own courtyards are arranged in a staggered pattern. The interior and exterior décor is elegant and classical, reflecting the hotel's philosophy of "one palace, three courtyards, and sixteen halls." Each villa has two floors and offers king and twin rooms, a dining room, a study, and a basement with a tea room and meditation room. Each villa bears the name of a renowned family from ancient times, each featuring distinctive decor and family mottos. Booking in advance can secure a villa with the same surname as yours! The hotel is beautifully decorated, with a staggered courtyard design. It seems the staff explain every detail and its rich Confucian philosophy. Each villa comes with a dedicated butler, making the stay truly exceptional! It feels more like a boutique B&B than a hotel.
This hotel is located on Gulou South Street in Qufu Ancient City, just a five-minute walk from the Three Confucian Temples Scenic Area. While there are many unique hotels in Qufu, this one stands out for its value, decor, and service. The hotel boasts over 60 guest rooms, each decorated with elegant, rustic wood furnishings. The outdoor courtyard offers a tranquil and pleasant atmosphere. The surrounding area is also home to many delicious Shandong cuisine restaurants, making it a highly recommended choice.
Shandong cuisine is one of the four traditional Chinese cuisines and boasts the longest history among the eight major Chinese cuisines. Perhaps due to its location in the sacred Confucius Mansion, Qufu's Shandong cuisine has a certain Confucian influence, with dishes often incorporating references to Confucius in their names. Shandong cuisine boasts rich flavors and generous portions, so three dishes are generally sufficient for five people. Below are a few dishes I recommend that I find exceptionally delicious!
Lucheng Past is a local favorite. It's not a big place, but the interior is a world away. It's a place where you can order dishes from famous restaurants and use an open kitchen. Inside, there's a small bridge and flowing water, and the decor is elegant and unique. The menu is diverse and reasonably priced, making it a must-try.
Tips:
1. Lucheng Past has a staff break from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. every day. You can eat during this period, but there is no chef, so if you want to eat there, you must control the time and it is best to contact in advance. The average consumption per person is 50 yuan.
2. There are many restaurants in Qufu that claim to serve authentic Confucius Mansion cuisine. In fact, there is no such thing as Confucius Mansion cuisine among the locals. So if you want to go to Qufu for fun, be careful not to be ripped off and don’t eat the so-called Confucius Banquet.
The Mencius Temple was actually built during the Northern Song Dynasty by Confucius' descendant Kong Daofu. Its layout is basically the same as that of the Confucius Temple, but that does not mean that it has no value for visiting.
The existing Meng Mansion and Meng Temple boast 64 halls, including the Yasheng Hall, Qisheng Hall, Mengmu Hall, and Zhiyan Hall. The temple is lush with ancient trees, creating a truly spectacular sight. This is a rare example of ancient architecture from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties in China, and is a delight for those who appreciate ancient architecture. While the Confucius Mansion and the Confucius Temple are often crowded, the Meng Mansion and Meng Temple are less crowded, even on holidays. Here, we can fully experience the rigor and exquisiteness of this classical Confucian architectural complex. It's also a great place for family outings. Bring your children here to hear the story of "Mencius's Mother Moved Three Times" and immerse yourself in the Confucian atmosphere.
(Photo courtesy of Zoucheng Cultural Relics Bureau)
(Photo courtesy of Zoucheng Cultural Relics Bureau)
Mount Tai is located in the small city of Tai'an, Shandong Province, only 20 minutes away from Qufu by high-speed rail. Tai'an is famous for Mount Tai and is an important place for rest and supplies before climbing Mount Tai.
There are two starting points for climbing Mount Tai from Tai'an: Hongmen, the hiking trailhead, is the most classic and popular starting point. From here, you can climb all the way to Zhongtianmen, traverse the Eighteen Bends, and finally ascend to Nantianmen and reach Yuhuangding. If you're not in good physical condition, you can take the scenic bus from Tianwai Village to Zhongtianmen, then take the cable car or hike halfway up the mountain from Zhongtianmen.
Mount Tai scenic area is open 24 hours a day. In summer and autumn, many people choose to climb the mountain at night, which is both cool and interesting. There are just as many people climbing Mount Tai at night as during the day. There is sufficient lighting, so there is no need to worry about danger, and you can catch the sunrise at Mount Tai in the morning.
Tips:
1. The last cable car to Tianwai Village operates from 7:00 to 17:30, and the bus runs until 22:00. The bus from Tianwai Village is 30 yuan per person, the cable car (one-way) is 100 yuan per person, and the ticket price for Mount Tai's Red Gate is 130 yuan per person.
2. It is quite cold at the top of Mount Tai. If you are climbing at night, it is recommended that you bring your own warm jacket. You can also rent military coats at the top of the mountain for 20 yuan per piece.
Qufu may not boast breathtaking natural landscapes, but its cultural heritage is unmatched elsewhere. Though Confucius was its teacher and Confucian sages its guiding light, this place's enduring brilliance cannot be overshadowed. When we set foot on this land for a day of sightseeing, we can avoid the crowds at night and walk along the Ming Dynasty city walls, enjoying the tranquility of the moat, where old trees form a poetic silhouette in the dim moonlight. We can faintly hear the cries of street vendors within the ancient city, while enjoying a bite of authentic Shandong pancakes. Perhaps you'll mutter to yourself, "So there's more to Qufu than just Confucius."
