1. Overview
The Three Confucius Sites in Qufu, Shandong, are the world’s most sacred landmarks of Confucianism, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Together, they span 350 acres and include:
- Confucius Temple: A grand complex of 460 halls and pavilions, second only to the Forbidden City in scale.
- Confucius Mansion: The 480-room estate of Confucius’s direct descendants, the "Yansheng Duke" family.
- Confucius Cemetery: A 2,500-year-old burial ground with 100,000+ tombs, including Confucius’s own.
2. Confucius Temple (Kong Miao)
- History: Built in 478 BCE, just two years after Confucius’s death, it expanded under 12 imperial dynasties.
- Architecture: Nine courtyards aligned on a central axis, featuring the Dacheng Hall with its iconic dragon-carved pillars.
- Treasures: Houses 1,000+ steles, including Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) inscriptions, and the Kuiwen Pavilion’s imperial book collection.
3. Confucius Mansion (Kong Fu)
- Role: Served as the Yansheng Duke’s official residence and government office for 800+ years.
- Layout: Divided into administrative halls (e.g., Grand Hall for ceremonies) and private quarters with Ming-Qing furniture.
- Artifacts: Preserves 300,000+ documents, the "Ten Sacrificial Bronzes" (gifted by Emperor Qianlong), and Confucius family relics.
4. Confucius Cemetery (Kong Lin)
- Scale: The world’s oldest and largest family cemetery (7km walled perimeter).
- Notable Burials: Confucius’s tomb (marked by a Ming-era stele) and his disciple Zi Gong’s memorial.
- Ecology: 17,000 ancient trees, some planted during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE).
5. Cultural Significance
- Rituals: Hosts the annual Qufu Ceremonial Dance and Confucius Memorial Ceremony.
- Global Influence: Inspired 2,000+ Confucian temples worldwide, from Seoul to San Francisco.
6. Visitor Information
- Hours: 8:00 AM–5:30 PM (ticket office closes at 4:30 PM).
- Tickets: ¥140 (combined pass for all three sites).
- Tips: Join guided tours to decode symbolism (e.g., temple gate names reflect Confucian virtues).
7. Conservation
Ongoing projects include digital archiving of steles and AI monitoring of ancient structures.