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Qufu, Shandong Province, China.
Cemetery of Confucian family.
Located in Qufu, Shandong Province, Confucian Cemetery(Confucius Forest) has served as the family graveyard of Confucius and his descendants for more than two thousand years. So you may find the strong Confucianism atmosphere when you do sightseeing here. China uninterrupted continuity across generations is most simply and vividly represented in this cemetery of the country's most revered thinker.
Confucian Cemetery takes up about 1,998 square meters and around it there is a seven-kilometer-long hedge. It is the largest, oldest, and best-preserved single-family cemetery in China. This final resting place of Confucius and his descendants is commonly known as the Forest of Confucius because of the large number of trees, over 20,000, planted there by the Kong clan. At 200 hectares, the cemetery-cum-forest is China's largest artificial park, with numerous tombstones, temples, pavilions and sculptures.
The Confucian Cemetery is also a botanical garden, as there are over 42,000 trees in it, and the planting of trees in it started 2,400 years ago. After Confucius death in 479BC, most of his descendants and clansmen were buried in the cemetery, such as the tombs of his son Kong Li and grandson Kong Ji. It is said that there are more than ten thousand tombs in total in this place. The tomb of Confucius is the highlight in this place. It is 6.2 meters high and has a circumference of 88 meters. It has been expanding ever since. Various steles written by famous calligraphers here is another highlight if you are interested in Chinese calligraphy.
Together, the Confucian Temple, Confucian Family Mansion and Cemetery were made part of the world cultural heritage list in 1994.
Confucius Temple
Confucius Temple is a temple dedicated to Confucius by feudal dynasties in China. It is grand in scale and magnificent in momentum, and is known as "the first temple in the world".
Confucius Temple, the Forbidden City and Chengde Summer Mountain Resort are called the three ancient architectural complex in China. The main attractions of the Confucius Temple include Jinshengyuzhen Fang, Shengshi Gate, Kuiwen Pavilion, Chenghua Monument, Dacheng Gate, Xingtan, Dacheng Hall and Poetry Auditorium.
Mansion of Confucius
Mansion of Confucius is the residence of descendants of Confucius for a long time, and is known as "the first mansion in the world". Mansion of Confucius is divided into nine courtyards in front and back.
Confucius Forest
Confucius Forest is a special cemetery for Confucius and his family. It is the largest family cemetery in the world, and is also known as the "first cemetery in the world".
Confucius Forest covers an area of nearly 2,000,000 square meters, with more than 100,000 graves, and the sacred way is connected with the city gate. The tomb of Confucius is located in the middle of Confucius Forest. As a family cemetery, Confucius Forest is unique in the world with rich cultural relics on the ground. The main attractions of Konglin include Changchun Fang, Zhishenglin Square and Confucius Tomb.
Wangu Changchun Fang
Wangu Changchun Fang is about 23 meters long and 8 meters wide with 6 columns. The carvings on the Wangu Changchun Fang are exquisite and beautiful.
Zhishenglin Fang
Zhishenglin Fang was built in 1424 of Ming dynasty, which had been repaired for many time during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Tomb of Confucius
The Confucius Tomb is located in the middle of the Confucius Forest, which is 30 meters long from east to west, 28 meters wide from south to north and 5 meters tall. There are two stone tablets of Ming and Yuan dynasties at the Confucius Tomb.
As a cultural heritage, Confucius Forest can be visited all the year round. In spring, the weather starts to get warm and flowers start to bloom in the Confucius Forest. In summer, it is hot in Qufu, while there are many domestic tourists at the Confucius Forest. In autumn, the Confucius Forest is more beautiful with the colorful autumn leaves. In winter, there will be less crowds in the Confucius Forest. Confucius Forest is an ideal destination for tourists who prefer quiet atmosphere. And the Confucius Forest covered by snow is beautiful.
You may take Bus Route 2, 3, 5 to孔府南门 to reach the place. Or you may take walk from Confucian Temple for about 3 kilometers to reach Confucian Cemetery. Taking local tricycle or taxi is also recommended.
A Day Trip in Qufu
To spend a day in Qufu, you can visit the Confucius Temple, Mansion of Confucius and Confucius Forest. As World Cultural Heritage Sites, you can know about the Confucius and his stories at the Confucius Temple, Mansion of Confucius and Confucius Forest. You can also know about the significance of Confucius in the history of China.
Two Days in Shandong
Day 1 Taishan Mountain
Day 2 Confucius Temple, Mansion of Confucius and Confucius Forest
To spend two days in Shandong, you can visit the most famous and popular attractions in Shandong: Taishan Mountain, Confucius Temple, Mansion of Confucius and Confucius Forest. On the first day, you can explore the Taishan Mountain, which is the first of the Most Famous Five Mountains in China.
On the second day, you can explore the Confucius Temple, Mansion of Confucius and Confucius Forest, which are World Cultural Heritages.
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