Confucianism has had the most enduring and profound effect over Chinese culture. As time went on, Confucius became respected as a sage, and the temples to Confucius were built as a landmark for all of China. Among them, the Temple in Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, is the most famous and the largest.
The tomb of Confucius is the longest preserved and largest of the clan graves and artificial gardens. The walls here were constructed out of grey bricks; it is 3 to 4 meters high, 7.3 kilometers long and covers an area of 3000 mu (a unit of area). Inside the walls are many flourishing ancient trees. It was said that Confucius disciples collected and planted the trees of their hometowns in the Tomb of Confucius Forest. The tombs, with many graves, steles and ants inside, include not only the graves and building for Confucius, Kong Li (Confucius son), and Kong Ji (Confucius grandchild), but also the graves of Kong lingyi, Kong yugou, Kong Wenshao and Kong Shangren. Numerous gravestones were moved here during the Han Dynasty along with numerous autographical epigraphs of some famous calligraphers from previous dynasties, like Li Dongyang, Yan Song, Weng Fanggang, He Zhaoji, Kang Youwei, ect. The Tomb of Confucius was also called the forest of steles and can be regarded as treasure-house of calligraphy art.
Located inside the south gate of Qufu, Shandong, the Temple of Confucius is a group of grand buildings built in oriental style. Together with the Summer Palace in Beijing and the Mountain Resort of Chengde , the Temple of Confucius in Qufu is one of the three largest ancient architectural complexes in China.
Temple of Confucius was built to worship Confucius (September 28, 551 BC 479 BC), the Chinese thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese thought and life by Chinese Feudal dynasty. It is a group of grand, majestic, oriental-featured ancient buildings. It is the second largest scale Chinese ancient buildings (the largest one is the Forbidden City in Beijing). The temple, now listed as China s Top Three Ancient Buildings (the other two are: the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Summer Resort in Chengde) and played an important role in the world s architecture history, was built at the site of Confucius former residence with a standard of ancient Chinese imperial palace.
At the Temple, when surrounded by the stately halls, elegant pavilions, dignified memorial archway, and classical courtyard, every tourist will gain an insight into the life of Confucius and his role in Chinese culture.
Admission Fee:
Mar.1 - Nov. 14:
CNY 90;
CNY 150 for through ticket of Kong Lin, Kong Miao and Kong Fu;
Nov. 15 - the next Feb. 28:
CNY 80;
CNY 130 for through ticket of Kong Lin, Kong Miao and Kong Fu.
Opening Hours: 07:30 to 16:30
Recommended Time for a Visit: One and a half hours
Bus Route: 1, 3