Qufu Duke of Zhou Temple

Qufu Duke of Zhou Temple

The Qufu Duke of Zhou Temple is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

The Duke of Zhou Temple is located in the northeast corner of Qufu City, about a kilometer away from the Confucius Temple. It was built to commemorate Duke of Zhou, a statesman of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Since ancient emperors once honored him as the “Sage of Sages,” the temple is also known as the Sage of Sages Temple.

The temple has been reconstructed six times during the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties to achieve its present form. Covering an area of 75 mu, it features 57 halls, pavilions, gates, and archways, arranged across three courtyards. Ancient trees provide shade throughout the temple grounds, with pine and cypress trees adding to the serene and solemn atmosphere. On either side of the Lingxing Gate stand stone memorial archways. The eastern archway is inscribed with “Ordering Heaven and Earth,” while the western one bears the plaque “Establishing Rites and Composing Music,” both paying tribute to the achievements of Duke of Zhou.

The Hall of the Sage of Sages is the central structure of the Duke of Zhou Temple. The main hall is five bays wide and three bays deep, with green-tiled, colorfully painted roofing. At the center of the hall stands a statue of Duke of Zhou, crafted to imperial specifications. He is depicted sitting upright, holding a jade tablet, wearing a crown adorned with jade pendants, and gazing forward with a solemn yet composed expression. Hanging from the thick pillars on either side are couplets handwritten by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty:

Through rites and deeds, the founding virtues of the nation endure through the ages

With books and symbols, the legacy of Nishan flows from its earliest form

These couplets reflect the pioneering spirit of this outstanding statesman of the Western Zhou Dynasty in “establishing rites and composing music.” By the way, the site of the ancient State of Lu is located where the Duke of Zhou Temple stands today. Hence, a stone tablet inscribed with “Site of the Ancient State of Lu in Qufu” stands in front of the temple, which is also a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level