The Temple of Confucius (孔庙) in Qufu, Shandong Province, is the largest and most renowned temple of Confucius in East Asia. Since 1994, the Temple of Confucius has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu”. The two other parts of the site are the nearby Kong Family Mansion, where the main-line descendants of Confucius lived, and the Cemetery of Confucius a few kilometers to the north, where Confucius and many of his descendants have been buried. Those three sites are collectively known in Qufu as San Kong (三孔), i.e. “The Three Confucian [sites]”..

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Shandong province, with a history of more than 5,000 years, it is an important coastal province in East China. This province is blessed with ancient history, breathtaking attractions, and wonderful culture.

Qingdao, located in the east part of Shandong Peninsula. It is a famous coastal tourist city, which is also known as Switzerland of Orient, has the largest bathing beach in Asia. Red roofs, green trees, blue sea, and azure sky are a typical local view that amazes everyone who comes here. it is surrounded by mountains and seas, which endow Qingdao with a picturesque natural landscape and pleasant climate.

Qufu, considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization and the hometown of Confucius, attracts all by its “Three Confucian Sites”. The most famous attractions are the Temple of Confucius (Kong Miao), The Tomb of Confucius (Kong Ling) and Kong Family Mansion (Kong Fu), which are now called the Three Kongs. The Three Kongs were listed in the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1994.

Shandong province is also considered the birthplace of China’s pottery, porcelain and silk. Throughout the province the tourist can find traditional items like the clocks and watches of Yantai, the porcelain of Zibo, the kites of Weifang and the shell-carving and beer of Qingdao.

Just to explore the Shandong for yourself! Welcome to friendly Shandong!

Qufu is located in the southwest of Shangdong Province. Qufu was the capital of the kingdom Lu between 770 BC-476BC. Today the town is especially known as being the hometown of Confucius who was a great thinker and educator as well as the founder of the Confucian School in ancient China. He brought education to everyone.  The city ranks as one of the four Holy Cities in China and among westerners it is regarded as the “Oriental Jerusalem”. Famous sites such as the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion were listed into the world’s cultural relics in 1994. Anyone interested in Chinese culture should come here!

People from all over the world are attracted by the cultural charm of this city and come here to find out more about Confucius and his teachings. Besides the sightseeing visitors, there are also a great deal of study trips and Chinese descendants from various parts of the World arrive in the city to pay respect and look back into the shared past.

There are no high buildings in this city as local people don’t allow the buildings to be higher than the Dacheng Hall, which is the main hall of the Temple of Confucius. It is their way to show respect to this great philosopher. In Qufu, one fifth of the residents have the surname Kong and they are all Confucius’ descendants.

Here you can find all different kinds of handicrafts. Moreover the very famous Qufu rice is produced here. Besides the rice, the city has other special food to offer such as the Kongfu Pancakes and Toasted Tofu.

Must-see places in Qufu

Confucius Temple

The temple is China’s largest imperial building after the Forbidden city.  After the death of Confusius the Duke of Lu consecrated the simple house of Confucius as a temple. Everything in the house was preserved including books, musical instruments and clothing. The temple therefore is more a museum than an altar.

Confucius Mansion

The Kong Family Mansion is the historical residence of the direct descendents of Confucius. Most of extant structures are built from Ming and Qing Dynasties. Today it is a museum and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu”.  The Mansion is situated to the east side of the temple and covers an area of more than 39.5 acres.

Cementery of Confucius

The Cemetery of Confucius (Kong Lin) located in the north of the city, is the largest clan cemetery in the world. When Confucius was buried, the area of the cemetery was not so large. But with the rising of Confucius’ status, the cemetery was rebuilt and enlarged many times through grants from the emperors who followed. Up to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it reached two square kilometers (494 acres) in area.

If you are interested in Chinese culture you should definitely pay the city a visit as Confucius played an important role in the development of China.