Qufu | Confucius Temple

The Qufu Confucian Temple, Confucian Forest, and Confucian Mansion, collectively known as the "Three Kongs" of Qufu, are sacred sites in China dedicated to commemorating Confucius and serving as pilgrimage destinations for Confucian scholars throughout history.

The Confucian Temple is a temple built to commemorate and worship Confucius, the great ancient Chinese thinker and educator. It is also a place of pilgrimage for Confucian scholars and students throughout the ages.
For us, the Confucian Temple is an essential stop on our summer cultural journey.

The layout of the Confucian Temple is rigorous, with a north-south central axis, divided into left, central, and right sections.
*️⃣ Lingxing Gate: The entrance to the Confucian Temple, symbolizing reverence and admiration for Confucius.
*️⃣ Shengshi Gate: The second gate of the Confucian Temple, with the words "Shengshi" (Holy Time) inscribed on it, signifying that Confucius is the greatest of sages.
*️⃣ Kuiwen Pavilion: The library within the Confucian Temple, housing a large collection of precious ancient books and documents.
*️⃣ Xingtan (Apricot Altar): Reputedly the place where Confucius lectured, it is one of the birthplaces of Confucian culture.
*️⃣ Dacheng Hall: The core building of the Confucian Temple, the main place for worshipping Confucius.

Walking along the bluestone path, passing ancient pine and cypress trees, and understanding the significance behind each memorial archway, one can marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship and artistry of the architecture. The preserved inscriptions on various steles reflect the importance and respect given to Confucianism in ancient China. It also helps to understand why the Confucian Temple was so highly valued by ancient emperors.
Interestingly, sometimes listening in on other people's tour guides as they explain the stories of the Confucian Temple's attractions can be quite rewarding.
▶️ At noon, there is a sacrificial performance at Dacheng Hall. Be sure to confirm the specific performance time when visiting.
▶️ In the morning and evening, there are ceremonies for opening and closing the gates at the Wanren Palace Wall. It's recommended to bring children to watch. Arrive early to secure a good spot for photos. Be prepared for the heat and crowds if visiting in the summer.

Tips:
1️⃣ A must-visit at the Confucian Temple. Separate tickets can be purchased: adult tickets are 80 yuan, with half-price for students and seniors. Visits to the Confucian Mansion and Confucian Forest are optional.
2️⃣ For the Confucian Mansion Family Banquet, you can find a local restaurant to try Lu cuisine (which tends to be salty).
3️⃣ Transportation: It is recommended to use a regular taxi service (less likely to take detours).