Confucius Forest

Confucius Forest

Confucius Forest is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a key cultural relics protection unit in China.

Introduction

Located north of Qufu City, Confucius Forest is the exclusive burial ground for Confucius and his family, and is currently the oldest and largest family cemetery in the world. Confucius passed away on the day of Yichou in the fourth month of the 16th year of Duke Ai of Lu (479 BC) and was buried north of the Sishui River in the Lu capital. His descendants were buried around his tomb over generations, forming what is now known as Confucius Forest. Since Zigong planted trees around Confucius’ grave, the forest has grown to contain over 10,000 ancient trees. From the Han Dynasty onward, rulers have renovated and expanded the site 13 times, resulting in its current scale — covering an area of approximately 2 square kilometers, surrounded by a 5.6-kilometer-long wall that is over 3 meters high and 1 meter thick. Guo Moruo once said: “This Confucius Forest, the burial site of Confucius, lies 1.5 kilometers north of Qufu City. The cemetery is shaded by ancient cypresses, enclosed by walls, and spans 2 million square meters. It serves as both an excellent natural museum and a chronicle of the Confucius family.” The site features pavilions and worship halls built during the Qing Dynasty, as well as stone statues and figures carved in the Song Dynasty. Since the time of Confucius, many generations of his descendants have also been laid to rest here.

Suggested Visit Duration

2–3 hours

Transportation

Bus: Take bus No. 2, 3, or 5 and get off at the South Gate of the Confucius Mansion (Bus No. 5 passes by the Temple of Yan along the way).

Alternatively, you can walk 3 km from the Confucius Mansion, or take a tricycle or taxi for about 10 yuan.

Ticket

Peak Season (Feb 16 – Nov 14): 40 yuan

Off-Season (Nov 15 – Feb 15 of the following year): 30 yuan

Joint ticket for the “Three Confucian Sites” (available year-round in both peak and off-seasons): 150 yuan

Free admission for seniors aged 70 and above, children aged 6 and under or under 1.4 meters tall

; half-price tickets available for seniors aged 60–69, minors aged 6–18, and full-time students upon presentation of valid ID

Opening Hours

(Apr 1 – Oct 7): 8:00 – 18:00

(Oct 8 – Mar 31 of the following year): 8:00 – 17:30

Location

No. 18, North Gulou Street, Qufu City, Jining, Shandong Province

Confucius (551–479 BC), whose given name was Qiu and courtesy name Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong), Changping District, the 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. His impact extends globally, especially across Southeast Asia, making him one of the world’s cultural icons.

Confucius’ ancestors were the descendants of Weizi Qi, the half-brother of King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty. Weizi Qi upheld the Shang ancestral sacrifices and was enfeoffed in the State of Song. His sixth-generation descendant, Kong Fu Jia, was the first to adopt the surname Kong. His fifth-generation ancestor, Mu Jin Fu, fled to the State of Lu to escape turmoil and eventually settled there... More details about Confucius ++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Key National Cultural Relics Protection Units

The Temple of Confucius, Confucius Forest, and the Confucius Mansion

Temple of Confucius in Qufu

Confucius Mansion