Confucius Mansion

Confucius Mansion

The Confucius Mansion is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural heritage site.

Qufu is located in central Shandong. It was the capital of the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods in the 11th century BC, and also the hometown of Confucius, the founder of Confucianism and a renowned philosopher of the late Spring and Autumn period.

“Millennia of rites and music belong to Eastern Lu, and through the ages, scholars pay homage to the Sage.” Qufu’s global fame is closely connected to the name of Confucius.

Confucius is one of the greatest philosophers in the world and the founder of China's Confucian school. Over the long course of more than two thousand years of history, Confucian culture gradually became China’s orthodox culture, influencing countries across East and Southeast Asia and forming the foundation of the entire Eastern cultural sphere.

The Confucius Mansion, Temple, and Cemetery in Qufu, collectively known as the “Three Confucian Sites,” are symbolic representations of how successive Chinese dynasties commemorated Confucius and upheld Confucian teachings. Renowned for their rich cultural heritage, long history, grand scale, abundant relics, and scientific and artistic value, they hold a prominent place in both Chinese history and Eastern culture globally, earning them reverence as one of the world’s three great holy cities. The “Three Confucian Sites” of Qufu — the Confucius Temple, Mansion, and Cemetery — are world-famous.

The Confucius Temple is a place dedicated to the worship of Confucius. Originally built in 478 BC, it was quite small at first, consisting merely of Confucius’ former residence used as a temple where seasonal offerings were made. After the Western Han Dynasty, with successive emperors bestowing ever higher honors on Confucius, the scale of the temple gradually expanded.

The Confucius Mansion is a large courtyard complex that actually was not Confucius’ home, but rather the residence of his descendants. The Confucius Cemetery is the burial ground of Confucius and his family, covering an area of 200 hectares. The Confucius Mansion: this was the dwelling place of the hereditary “Duke Yansheng,” the direct descendants of Confucius, and is the largest mansion in China after the imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Today, the Confucius Mansion spans over 240 acres and features 463 structures including halls, chambers, towers, and pavilions, divided into three sections: central, eastern, and western. The eastern section is the family temple, the western section houses the academy, and the central section contains the main buildings. Within the central area, the inner residence is the dividing line — the front part served as the official yamen, comprising three halls and six offices (the Grand Hall, Second Hall, Third Hall, the Offices of Administration, Household Registration, Seals, Manuscripts, Classics, and Music); the rear section is the inner residence, featuring the Front Upper Room, Front Hall Building, Rear Hall Building, and Rear Five Rooms. At the very back is the Confucius Mansion garden, a leisure space for the Dukes Yansheng and their families throughout the dynasties.

Time Needed

2–3 hours

Transportation

Take bus routes 2, 3, or 5 and get off at the South Gate of the Confucius Mansion;

Alternatively, exit the Confucius Temple and turn down a small alley to reach the Confucius Mansion, a 5-minute walk away.

Admission Fee

Peak season (Feb 16 – Nov 14): 60 RMB;

Off-season (Nov 15 – Feb 15 of the following year): 50 RMB;

Combined ticket for the “Three Confucian Sites” (peak and off-season): 150 RMB;

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): 8:00–17:30

(Oct 8 – Mar 31): 8:00–17:00

Location

Shen Dao Road, Qufu City, Jining, Shandong

Confucius (551–479 BC), whose given name was Qiu and courtesy name Zhongni, was a native of Zouyi (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong), in the State of Lu during the late Spring and Autumn period. He was a philosopher, educator, and statesman of 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 from the noble family of Weizi Qi, the half-brother of King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty, who presided over Shang ancestral rites 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, Mu Jin Fu, fled to Lu for refuge and later settled in Zou, Lu... More detailed information about Confucius ++

Confucius Temple, Confucius Cemetery, and Confucius Mansion

Confucius Temple in Qufu

Cemetery of Confucius (Kong Lin)