Qufu Confucius Essence Garden

　　The Confucius Essence Garden is a tourist attraction that combines knowledge, entertainment, and artistry. Its architecture is designed in a corridor maze style, with illustrations embedded along both sides of the corridors. As visitors explore the garden, it feels like they are appreciating a giant illustrated storybook, while also enjoying the fun of a maze. After several twists and turns, they finally find the exit, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the visit. Qufu is famed for the Three Confucian Sites, which are celebrated for their majestic ancient architecture. In the past, most visitors to Qufu came mainly to admire the grandeur of these historical buildings, but knew little about the history of Qufu and Confucius. The Confucius Essence Garden fills this gap by condensing thousands of years of Qufu’s history within its grounds. As visitors walk through the garden, it’s as if they are drifting along the river of history, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Qufu’s culture and heritage.

　　 Jining City, Shandong Province

　　Confucius (551 BC~479 BC)　　 Confucius (551–479 BC), whose given name was Qiu and courtesy name Zhongni, was born in Zouyi, Changping (present-day southeastern Qufu, Shandong Province), in the State of Lu. He was a philosopher, 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 included Weizi Qi, the half-brother of the tyrannical King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty. Weizi Qi upheld the Shang rituals 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, Kong Fu Jia, sought refuge in the State of Lu and eventually settled in Zouyi. His father, Shuliang He, was a renowned warrior in Lu, known for his bravery and strength among the feudal lords. In his later years... More+