Confucius Temple

» Qufu, Shan Dong

Confucius Temple Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Confucius Temple is a group of grand buildings built in oriental style. Together with the Summer Palace in Beijing and the Chengde Mountain Resort, the Confucius Temple in Qufu is one of the three largest ancient architectural complexes in China. For over 2,000 years, this temple has gradually evolved into its current magnificence and size and serves as the blueprint for all other Confucian temples.

Qufu and Confucius

Confucius (551 B.C. - 479 B.C.), the world famous Chinese philosopher, born in Qufu, Shandong Province more than 2,500 years ago, has greatly influenced Chinese society with his ideas passed from generations to generations, till today. The feudal rulers of subsequent dynasties used Confucianism as a moral standard to consolidate theirs rule and constructed the town Qufu. The result is a remarkable group of ancient buildings with valuable art treasures. In 1994, the Kong Family Mansion, the Cemetery of Confucius and the Temple of Confucius were listed as World Cultural Heritage buildings.

A look at the Temple

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, Confucius Temple in Qufu, the hometown of Confucius, is the most famous and the largest.

What about the role in history

The Temple started as three houses in the year of 478 B.C., the second year after the death of Confucius. Each year as Confucianism became the standard of Chinese culture, the scale of the Temple was expanded accordingly. Sacrifices were often offered to the sage, either by Emperors themselves, or by emperor-appointed high officials.

In 205 BC, Emperor Gao of the Han Dynasty was the first emperor to offer sacrifices to the memory of Confucius in Qufu. He set an example for many emperors and high officials to follow. In the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Emperor Qianlong offered sacrifices here eight times. The Gate to the Temple was named Lingxing Gate. Lingxing was the legendary star of literacy, and emperors offered sacrifices first to Lingxing when they offered sacrifices to heaven. The scale of offering sacrifices to Confucius was as grand as that given to the heavens. This gives us an idea of the importance of the Confucius Temple in Qufu in history.

What about the scale

The existing Temple of Confucius was rebuilt and renovated during the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties. Patterned after a royal palace, it is divided into nine courtyards. The main buildings run along a north to south axis, with the attached buildings symmetrically in line.

The whole group includes three halls, one pavilion, one altar, and three ancestral temples. Altogether there are 466 rooms and 54 gateways covering an area of 218,000 square meters (2,346,609 square feet). The yellow tiles and red walls all covered with delicate decoration make the Temple extremely grand.

Getting around

After Great Sage Gate (Dasheng Men), the buildings are divided into three parts. The central part is for offering sacrifices to Confucius and other scholars and sages while the eastern part is for sacrifices to the ancestors of Confucius. The west is for his parents.

However, the Temple wins its fame not only for its grandness, but also for the rich cultural relics found there. The 2100 pieces of steles remaining from various dynasties make a fine exhibition of calligraphy and stone sculpture.

The following three exquisite areas are the richest and most representative of the Temple's beautiful architecture.

Dacheng Hall

Dacheng Hall is the main hall of the Temple at its core. This hall is 24.8 meters (81feet) high on a base of 21 meters (69 feet), and is the highest building in the Temple as well as being one of the three largest ancient halls in China. Dacheng means master with great achievement, which truly describes Confucius.

Apricot Altar

Located in front of the Dacheng Hall, Apricot Altar is said to be where Confucius preached. The Altar is surrounded by red fences with hills behind them. One finely decorated pavilion has a painted dragon and a stele engraved with Emperor Qianlong's handwriting.

Kuiwen Pavilion

Kuiwen Pavilion, a library, is in the middle of the Temple. Kuixing was the legendary star responsible for literacy in ancient China. A famous wooden pavilion, Kuiwen Pavilion was daintily designed with two stories. The upper story houses classic books and writings given by emperors and kings while the lower story houses items used by the emperors when offering sacrifices to Confucius.

Other Confucians buildings

Together, the Confucian Temple, Kong Family Mansion and The Confucian Cemetery were made part of the world cultural heritage list in 1994.

The Kong Family Mansion, right next to the Confucius Temple, was the residence of Confucius' descendants and also the residence just next to the imperial palace in scale. Covering an area of 120,000 meters, the family mansion now houses a large number of documents, files and cultural relics.

The Confucian Cemetery, occupying more than 200 hectares, has served as the family graveyard of Confucius and his descendants for more than 2,300 years.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 7:30a.m. - 4:30p.m.

Getting there

By bus: No. 1 & 3

Attractions around » Qufu, Shan Dong

Historical Site

• Kong Family Mansion
• Confucius Temple
• Confucius Cemetery

Confucius Temple Highlights

Confucius attraction highlights

• Kong Family Mansion
• Confucius Temple
• Confucius Cemetery
• Confucius Temple
• Gaomiao Temple at Zhongwei

Temple & Monastery in Great China

• Shaolin Temple
• Temple of Heaven
• Jokhang Temple
• Confucius Temple
• A-Ma Temple
• Palkhor Monastery
• Sera Temple
• Drepung Temple
• Rongbuk Temple
• Songzanlin Temple
• Id Kah Mosque
• Lingyin Temple
• Labrang Temple
• Great Buddha at Lingshan
• Golden Temple
• Yuantong Temple
• Tashilhunpo Temple
• Sakya Temple
• Temple of Universal Peace
• Putuo Zongcheng Temple
• Eight Outer Temples
• Famen Temple
• Great Mosque
• Nanputuo Temple
• Jade Buddha Temple
• Town God Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Lama Temple
• White Cloud Temple
• Tar Temple
• Santa Sophia Church
• 108 Dagobas
• Memorial Temple of Lord Bao
• White Horse Temple
• Qiongzhu Temple
• Hanging Temple
• Hanshan Temple
• Gaomiao Temple at Zhongwei
• Giant Buddha Temple
• Xiangguo Temple
• Yufeng Lamastery
• Chongshansi Temple
• Dule Temple
• Anyuan Temple
• White Horse Pagoda
• Trandruk Temple
• Dai Temple
• Pagoda of Songyue Temple
• Ramoche Temple
• Guanlin Temple
• Huayan Temple
• Kaiyuan Temple
• Samye Temple
• Jinci Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Ganden Temple
• Dabeiyuan Temple
• Wuhou Memorial Temple
• Shanhua Temple
• Ruins of St. Paul's
• Temple of Universal Happiness
• Great Bell Temple
• Qingjing Mosque
• Hongfu Temple
• Dazhao Temple
• Five Pagoda Temple
• Baoguo Temple
• Wudangzhao Temple
• Shalu Temple
• Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center
• Longhua Temple
• Jile Temple
• Chengtiansi Pagoda
• Nanguan Muslim Mosque
• Qingyanggong Temple
• Ba Xian An Temple
• Tianhou Palace
• Guiyuan Temple
• Linggu Temple
• Najiahu Mosque at Yongning
• Haibao Pagoda
• Xilitu Zhao
• Dongguan Mosque
• Jiegu Temple

Confucius Temple FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How is the weather in Shandong? Anything to prepare?

  Food

1. What to notice about dining in Shandong?

  Shopping

1. What are some local products in Shandong? What to notice when buying them?

  Travel

1. What should I notice when visiting scenic spots?

• How is the weather in Shandong? Anything to prepare?

  There is a big difference between morning and nights temperature. The average temperature is between 16-26 degrees C, so you should put on or take off clothes at suitable times to prevent from catching a cold. Wear warm clothes when climbing Mt.Taishan, because the temperature on the mountain can be 8 C 10 degrees lower than at the foot of the mountain. Dont forget to bring raincoats or umbrellas.

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• What to notice about dining in Shandong?

  • The food in Shandong belongs to Lu cuisine. The seasoning of Lu cuisine is a bit strong, so that there is a big difference between Lu cuisine and Yue Cuisine. If you dont like strong seasoning you can ask for light seasoning dish.
  
  
  • Drink enough water, and eat more fresh fruit.
    
    
  • Do not eat food or snack at the little stands along the street, they might not be clean.
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• What are some local products in Shandong? What to notice when buying them?

  Shandong local products
  Donkey-hide Glue, kites, grass art works, green stones from Mt.Laoshan, gyrophora, tommy knocker, Longkou Vermicelli, Dezhou Braised Chicken, pancake, Yantai apples, Laiyang pears, Laoshan green tea, etc.

  Notice: make sure the products you buy are all real, and worth the price.
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• What should I notice when visiting scenic spots?

  • It is very crowded in some hot scenic spots, so please follow your guide closely, in case you will get lost.
  
  
  • Take good care of you personal belongings, especially your passport.
  
  
  • Please do not reach your head or hand out of the window when in the tour bus.
  
  
  • Protect historical sites and the plants around, do not draw or carve on the architectures.
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