A Journey Through Millennia! Immersive Study Tour in Qufu, the Hometown of Confucius!

🌟 In-Depth Qufu Travel Guide: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred City & Immersive Cultural Experience
Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius and the cradle of Confucian culture, is renowned as the "Oriental Holy City." Here, you’ll find not only ancient relics spanning millennia but also innovative cultural tourism experiences. This guide, updated with the latest information (July 2025), will help you unlock a timeless cultural journey!

🏯 **Must-Visit Attractions**
1. **Three Confucian Sites**
- **Confucius Temple**: The foremost of China’s Four Great Confucian Temples, second in scale only to the Forbidden City. Don’t miss the Morning Bell Ceremony at Dacheng Hall (daily at 8:00 AM), the Apricot Altar lecture site, and the Thirteen Stele Pavilions.
- **Confucius Mansion**: The residence of Confucius’s direct descendants, known as the "First Family Under Heaven." Its nine courtyards house Shang and Zhou dynasty bronze ritual vessels, the "Ten Offerings," and a meticulously designed rear garden.
- **Confucius Forest**: The world’s largest clan cemetery, with towering ancient cypresses and Confucius’s tomb at its heart. Recommended to tour by electric cart (~1.5 hours).
🎫 **Tickets**: Three-Site combo ticket ¥140 (valid for 2 days), half-price for students/teachers. Reciting *The Analects* grants free entry (advance booking required).

2. **New Cultural Landmarks**
- **Nishan Sacred Land**:
- **72m Confucius Statue**: Symbolizing the "72 Disciples," it’s breathtaking when bathed in golden sunset light.
- **Great Learning Hall**: Immersive experience of five themed halls (Benevolence, Righteousness, Ritual, Wisdom, Trust) adorned with Dongyang wood carvings, Suzhou embroidery, and other intangible cultural heritage crafts.
- ***The Sound of Gold and Jade***: A 1-hour grand ritual music drama depicting Confucius’s life (separate ticket, advance booking required).
🎫 **Tickets**: Daytime ¥120, night ¥80. Night highlights: drone lantern show + light-and-water screen (summer exclusive).
- **Confucius Museum**: Free entry! Houses 100,000 artifacts, including Confucius family archives and Ming dynasty attire. Don’t miss the "AI Dialogue with Confucius" digital exhibit.
- **Luyuan Village & Liaohe Ancient Street**:
- **Luyuan Village**: Revamped from Confucius’s childhood home, offering experiences like ancient chariot driving and rubbing-making.
- **Liaohe Ancient Street**: Top nightlife spot! Features Hanfu parades, traditional medicine night markets, and the live show *Long Admired Qufu*.

📅 **Itinerary Suggestions**
- **One-Day Highlights**: Confucius Temple → Confucius Mansion → Confucius Museum → Nishan Sacred Land night tour.
- **Two-Day Deep Dive**:
- *Day 1*: Three Confucian Sites + Yan Temple (free)/Duke of Zhou Temple → overnight at Liaohe Ancient Street.
- *Day 2*: Nishan Sacred Land (Great Learning Hall + *The Sound of Gold and Jade*) → Luyuan Village study experience.
- **Three-Day Cultural Expansion**: Add hiking at Shimen Mountain (Confucius’s lecture site) + handicraft workshops at Jiuxian Folk Village.

🍜 **Local Food Must-Tries**
- **Confucian Banquet**: Imperial-style cuisine! Must-order "Poetic Ginkgo" and "First-Grade Tofu." Recommended: Queli Binshe Hotel & Shangri-La Confucian Hall.
- **Street Eats**:
- **Smoked Tofu**: Richly aromatic, best at Jingxuan Middle Road stalls.
- **Lamb Porridge**: Breakfast staple at Wangji Porridge Shop, perfect with baked flatbread.
- **Pancake Roll with Scallions**: Crispy and savory, served with sweet bean paste and crispy noodles at Qufu Pancake House.

🚆 **Transport & Accommodation**
- **Transport**:
- ✈️ **Air**: Jining Qufu Airport (80km) or Jinan Yaoqiang Airport (1.5hr high-speed rail transfer).
- 🚄 **High-Speed Rail**: Qufu East Station (near Nishan, ~¥30 taxi to downtown); Qufu Station (near Three Sites).
- 🚌 **Local**: Walk between Three Sites; taxis recommended for Nishan (~¥50 one-way).
- **Accommodation**:
- **Luxury**: Nishan Academy Hotel (courtyard villas), Qufu JW Marriott (renovated Ming official residence).
- **Budget**: Queli Binshe (next to Confucius Temple), GreenTree Inn (near Qufu Normal University night market).
- **Unique Stays**: Fuzi Homestay (courtyard house), "Farming-Reading Cottage" in Liyuan Village.

💡 **Pro Tips**
- **Best Seasons**: April-May (Spring Ceremony) & September-October (Confucius Culture Festival); avoid summer heat.
- **Avoid Pitfalls**:
- Skip overpriced rickshaws/horse carts; opt for taxis or walking.
- Guided tours are essential! E-guide ¥20/device, live guide ¥150/group.
- **Unique Experiences**:
- **Hanfu Photo Shoot**: Rent near Confucius Temple (~¥50/hour) for time-travel photos.
- **Rubbing-Making**: Try at the Han-Wei Stele Exhibition Hall.

**Final Note**
Qufu has evolved from a "Three-Site checklist" to a fully immersive cultural destination—read history by day, marvel at night performances, and bask in Confucian elegance at dawn and dusk. Summer 2025 brings Nishan’s night spectacles and Liaohe’s fireworks—the Holy City awaits your brushstroke!