Qufu Confucius Research Institute

Qufu Confucius Research Institute

The Qufu Confucius Research Institute is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Introduction

Located 500 meters south of the main gate of the Qufu Temple of Confucius, on the west side of Dacheng Road, standing prominently within a perforated floral wall is the Confucius Research Institute, completed in 1999.

The Confucius Research Institute is a research institution approved for construction by a special document from the State Council. It serves five functions: literature collection, information exchange, academic research, talent cultivation, and museum exhibitions. It is planned to be developed into a global center for the study of Confucian thought. The institute faces east, with a three-bay entrance gate. Under the eaves hangs a gold-plated bronze plaque inscribed with “Confucius Research Institute.” Although unsigned, the plaque is unmistakably written by President [name redacted].

On both sides of the gate, apricot trees sway gently. Upon closer inspection, there are exactly 36 trees on each side. Confucius once taught beneath the apricot altar, with three thousand disciples and seventy-two virtuous ones. Needless to say, the apricot trees symbolize the seventy-two virtuous disciples. Passing through the gate, the path beneath your feet is paved with red granite, laid either horizontally or vertically. In the center of the path lies a row of round white marble inlays. Upon closer look, they turn out to be patterns of ancient jade pendants. Confucius was a passionate inheritor and advocate of ancient culture and strongly promoted the rites and music culture of the Zhou Dynasty, which also became an important part of his philosophy. The designers put deep thought into even this ordinary pathway, engraving such profound symbols of traditional culture.

Address: No. 9, Dacheng Road, Qufu City, Jining, Shandong Province (near the Temple of Confucius)

Phone: 0537-4487168

Official Website: http://www.confucius.gov.cn/Category_66/Index.aspx

Ticket:

Ticket: 40 RMB

Opening Hours:

8:00--16:00

Transportation:

You can take a bus from Jining Bus Station to Qufu Bus Station, then walk to the destination.

Confucius (551–479 BC), surname Kong, given name Qiu, courtesy name Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong), Changping, State of Lu. He was a thinker, educator, and statesman in the late Spring and Autumn period, the founder of Confucianism, and one of the most influential figures in Chinese history and culture. He also had a significant impact worldwide, especially in Southeast Asian countries, and is recognized as one of the world’s cultural luminaries.

The ancestors of Confucius were Weizi Qi, the half-brother of King Zhou of Shang during the late Yin Dynasty. Qi inherited the Shang lineage and was enfeoffed in the State of Song. His sixth-generation ancestor, Kong Fu Jia, was the first to adopt the surname Kong. His fifth-generation ancestor, Shuliang He, fled to the State of Lu to escape turmoil and later settled in Zou... More detailed information about Confucius ++