Qufu
The Confucius Temple
In almost every town and city in China there stands a Confucius Temple. The one in Qufu is the biggest in all aspects. Built in the year following the death of Confucius, the Confucius Temple underwent numerous renovations and modifications, until it took the shape of a large architectural complex during the Ming (1368-1644 AD) and Qing (1644-1911 AD) dynasties.
The whole complex was modeled along the lines of the imperial palace. Two times as large as the historical city of Qufu, the complex is encircled by a wall with watchtowers at each corner. There are more than 3,000 tablets of calligraphy, paintings and carvings on view within the walls of the complex. These well-preserved tablets, including 22 priceless pieces dating back to the Han, Wei and Six Dynasties period (206 BC-589 AD), are rare art treasures
The Confucius Residence
Bestowed with the title of "The First Family in the World", the Residence of Confucius is home to 77 generations of lineal descendants of Confucius. The residence combines the official mansion and the private house into a singular structure designed along the architectural style of China's feudal society. The Residence of Confucius took shape during the Song (960-1279 AD), Ming and Qing dynasties. It has 480 rooms and nine compounds. The Main Hall of the Residence, built during the Ming Dynasty period, is the place where senior officials were received and serious cases were brought to trial.
The Confucius Mausoleum
The Confucius Mausoleum, or Confucius Woods, is the oldest and largest clan mausoleum in the world. It covers an area of about two square kilometers and is encircled by a 7,000-meter long wall. The wall itself is 3 meters high and 1 meter thick. This area houses the tombs of Confucius and his descendants, as well as several stone tablets, monuments and archways. Touring the mausoleum in an ancient style carriage is a very special experience. It is not just a tour through the generations of the family of Confucius, but also a tour through China's history.