Temple of Confucius, Qufu

Welcome to Qufu, the birthplace and final resting place of Kong-fuzi, known to the world as Confucius. We are entering the Temple of Confucius, or Kong-miao, one of the three great ancient architectural complexes in China,…

Our journey begins at the Ling-xing Gate. In ancient times, Ling-xing referred to the star believed to manage the harvests, and by naming this gateway after it, the Qing Emperor Qianlong signaled that Confucius’ wisdom was as…

We come now to the Xing-tan, or the Apricot Pavilion. This modest yet elegant structure marks the exact spot where Confucius is said to have taught his disciples. …

Before you rises the Da-cheng-dian, the Hall of Great Achievement. This is the main hall of the temple and one of the largest ancient buildings in China, second only to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Beijing. …

We now wander through the pavilions housing the imperial stone tablets, often called the 'Forest of Steles.' These tablets, many standing on the backs of massive stone turtles called 'bi-xi,' were commissioned by emperors from…

Just a short walk from the temple is the Kong Family Mansion, the residence of the direct descendants of Confucius. For over a thousand years, the eldest male descendant was given the title 'Duke Yansheng' and lived here to…

Our final stop is the Cemetery of Confucius, known as the 'Kong Forest.' This is the world’s largest and best-preserved family cemetery, housing over 100,000 tombs of the Kong family spanning 2,400 years. As you enter through the…

As we conclude our journey through the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius, we are struck by the sheer persistence of a single man's influence. From a three-room house to a sprawling world heritage site, Qufu is the physical…