Confucius Temple

The Qufu Confucius Temple, also known as the 'Queli Zhi Sheng Temple', is located in the center of Qufu City and is a temple for worshiping Confucius. It was first built in the 17th year of Duke Ai of Lu (478 BC) and has been expanded and renovated by generations. The Qufu Confucius Temple takes Confucius' former residence as the temple and worships it annually. Since the Western Han Dynasty, emperors of all dynasties have continuously conferred posthumous titles on Confucius, and the scale of the Confucius Temple has become larger and larger, becoming the largest Confucius Temple in the country. The existing architectural complex is mostly completed in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, covering an area of 327 acres, with nine courtyards in front and back. There are 464 halls, altars, and doorways in the temple. It is surrounded by red walls and equipped with corner towers at the four corners, which is built in the style of the Beijing Forbidden City. It is collectively referred to as the 'Three Confucius' with the adjacent Confucius Mansion and the Confucius Forest in the north of the city. The Qufu Confucius Temple is a national key cultural relics protection unit, a 'World Cultural Heritage', and a national 5A-level scenic spot.