Temple and Cemetery of Confucius Travel Guide

The temple, cemetery and family mansion of, the great philosopher, politician and educator of the 6th C5th centuries B.C., are located at Qufu, in Shandong Province. Built to commemorate him in 478 B.C., the temple has been destroyed and reconstructed over the centuries; today it comprises more than 100 buildings.

For twenty-five centuries, Confucius has exerted profound influence on Chinese society with his ideas right up to the present century. Temple of Confucius One year after Confucius´ death (478 B.C.), Duke Ai of the State of Lu had and Confucius¡¯s former residence rebuilt into a temple to worship and offer sacrifice to Confucius. As the temple was repeatedly renovated and enlarged by emperors from the Western Han Dynasty onwards, it gradually became a huge group of ancient buildings. In the front part of the temple, this consists of nine courtyards, visitors pass through a number of gates, the Pavilion of the Constellation Scholars (Kuiwenge), and Thirteen pavilions of Imperial Steles (Shisanyuebeiting).

From Great Achievement Gate (Dachengmen), visitors can continue the tour along one of three routes. In the middle route, they can see Terrace of Apricot Tree (Xingtan), Great Achievement Hall (Dachengdian), Confucius´ Bedroom (Qindian), and Hall of Memories of the Sage (Shengjidian). To the east of these halls is the former residence of Confucius, where tourists can visit Hall of Rites and Poetry (Shilitang), Wall of Lu (Lubi), Confucius´ Well (Guzhaijing), Worship Ancestors Temple (Chongshengsi), and the Confucius Family Temple (Jiamiao). Along the west route are Hall of Heralding the Sage (Qishengwangdian), used for worshipping and offering sacrifice to Confucius´parents, and Hall of Private Apartments (Qishengwangqindian).

Confucius Mansion Right next to the Temple of Confucius, the mansion was the residence of Confucius´descendants. As generations of emperors advocated the worship of Confucius, his descendants were given the hereditary title of "Lord of Learning." Therefore, the mansion is also called "the Mansion of Lords of Learning."

Covering a vast area and containing a total of 463 rooms of buildings, this architectural group represents the largest landlord manor in Chinese history. The richly decorated mansion served a triple function: it was a feudal government office, a family temple, and a residence.

Forest of Confucius Located to the north of the town of Qufu County and occupying two hundred hectares, the forest serves as the cemetery of Confucius and his descendants. The ancient trees in the cemetery are said to have been brought here by Confucius´ disciples from their hometowns after his death.

There are more than twenty thousand trees inside the cemetery, which shade the tombs and tombstones. There are many historical sites in the forest commemorating the visits of emperors of various dynasties who came to pay tribute to Confucius and his descendants.