Qufu Nishan

Qufu Nishan

Qufu Nishan is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural tourism site.

Introduction

The mountain is located 30 kilometers southeast of Qufu City and was originally named Niqiu Mountain. Confucius’s parents “prayed at Niqiu and were blessed with Confucius,” so he was named Qiu and styled Zhongni. Later generations, out of respect for Confucius, called it Nishan.

Nishan is also very important for understanding Confucius, and there are many scenic spots to visit here. Some say it should be ranked alongside the “Three Confucian Sites” and the group renamed from “Three Sites” to “Four Sites” — a claim that is not without merit. One reason Nishan is less famous than the “Three Sites” is likely because it is nearly 50 li from the city and transportation is not very convenient.

Nishan is the birthplace of Confucius, bordering the Meng River to the east. On the mountain are the Confucius Temple, the Temple of the God of Nishan, and the Nishan Academy. These three levels of architecture form a grand complex. In the southeastern corner of the Confucius Temple stands the tall Guanchuan Pavilion, said to be the spot where Confucius gazed at the river and sighed — a sigh that has echoed through the ages: “Everything flows on and on like this river, day and night!” At the eastern foot of the mountain lies the cave where Confucius was born — the Cave of the Sage.

To commemorate Confucius, a temple was built here during the Northern Wei Dynasty for worship, and it has been renovated in successive dynasties. The existing Nishan Academy covers an area of 25 mu, surrounded by hundreds of acres of ancient cypresses, offering a serene and beautiful landscape. In ancient times, there were eight scenic spots such as the Wen De Forest, Kun Ling Cave, and Zhong He Ravine. Now, the Nishan Reservoir has been added, with its shimmering blue waters further enhancing the scenery.

Address: 30 kilometers southeast of Qufu City, Jining, Shandong Province

Transportation

Take the Qufu–Nishan tourist shuttle bus from Qufu Bus Station to get there.

Opening Hours:

9:00-16:30

Ticket

20% discount for the Three Confucian Sites combo ticket; single entry is 50 RMB.

Free admission for children under 1.2 meters, seniors, active-duty military and officers, people with disabilities, retired cadres, journalists, and Hong Kong and Macao journalists.