Qufu Minggucheng (Three Confucius Sites) Tourist Area, Jining

曲阜明故城（三孔）旅游区 (Qufu Minggucheng (Sankong) Lvyouqu)

Minggucheng, namely Ancient City in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), is renowned for its three Confucius sites, namely the Confucius Temple, the Confucius Forest, and the Kong Family Mansion, which were added to UNESCO's World Natural Heritage list in December 1994. Therefore, the city in Qufu is also called Three Confucius Sites Tourist Area.

The Confucius Temple in Qufu, a county-level city in Jining, East China's Shandong province [Photo/VCG]

The Confucius Temple in Qufu is the largest and most renowned one in China for the famous thinker, educator and founder of Confucianism, who lived at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). The temple was first built in the year of 478 BC, the second year after Confucius's death, and was renovated and expanded dozens of times over the following centuries. Covering an area of some 327 mu (21.8 hectares), it is one of the top three ancient architectural complexes in China; the other two are Beijing's Palace Museum and Chengde Imperial Summer Resort in Hebei province.

The memorial archway at the Confucius Forest [Photo/IC]

The Confucius Forest is where the tombs of Confucius and many of his descendants are found. Covering an area of more than 3,000 mu and with some 100,000 graves discovered there, it is the largest, oldest and best-preserved family tomb and artificial garden. The Kong Family Mansion, located east of the Confucius Temple, is the place where descendants of Confucius live.

A building at the Kong Family Mansion [Photo/IC]

There are also other scenic spots in the tourist area, like Nishan Mountain, the birthplace of Confucius. It has always been one of the best places for visitors to experience Confucianism and enjoy ancient Chinese architecture.

Scenic spot level: AAAAA

Opening hours:

Confucius Temple and Confucius Forest: 8 am – 5:30 pm (entry until 5:10 pm)

Kong Family Mansion: 8 am – 6 pm (entry until 5:30 pm)

Nishan Mountain Confucius Temple: 9 am – 4:30 pm

Other scenic spots: 8:30 am – 5 pm

Ticket price:

Coupon ticket for three Confucius sites: 150 yuan ($21.75)

Confucius Temple: 90 yuan

Kong Family Mansion: 60 yuan

Confucius Forest: 40 yuan

Nishan Mountain Confucius Temple: 50 yuan

Address: Shendao Road, Qufu, Jining, Shandong province

Website: http://www.uqufu.com/ (Chinese)

Note:

1. The scenic area implements the real-name system for buying tickets, so bring valid identification.

2. The office hours of the ticketing hall are 7:40 am to 5 pm.

3. A ticket is valid for seven days from the date of sale, but you can only enter the scenic area once.

4. Schedule your tourist route in advance.

5. Buy travel insurance.