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Qufu's Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and Kong Family Mansion

No. 11 of Best Things to Do in Shandong

Qufu's Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and Kong Family Mansion

7.8

4.7/5

20.8k reviews

The Temple of Confucius, Kong Family Mansion, and Cemetery of Confucius represent holy land memorialized throughout the history of China. The Temple of Confucius was built from the remains of Confucius's old residence and is a famous place for making offerings to the scholar. The scale of the Kong Family Mansion is second in China only to the Forbidden City, and it served for hundreds of years as the long-term residence of Confucius's descendants. The Cemetery of Confucius is the burial site of Confucius and his descendants.

Qufu · 24.7km from Ningyang

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No. 14 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shandong

Confucius Temple

6.6

4.6/5

6k reviews

The Confucius Temple is located in Qufu, a large-scale temple dedicated to Confucius, built on the site of his former residence. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's four great ancient architectural complexes, alongside the Palace Museum, the Chengde Mountain Resort, and the Dai Temple. The architectural complex here is grand and vast, preserving many historical relics and stories. Travel notice On-site guides are available at the visitor service hall and Confucius Temple square. It is recommended to hire a guide to better understand the historical anecdotes of the relics here. If you come in the morning, you can watch the city gate opening ceremony at 8 am outside the south gate of the attraction, featuring performers in ancient costumes. At 5 pm (5:30 pm during peak season), there is a city gate closing ceremony. However, performances are usually suspended during the Spring Festival (please check the attraction's official website for specific announcements). Another thing to note is that the localPrice gougingIt is quite common, and many travelers have encountered taxi drivers, tricycle riders, or guides who trick them into visiting overpriced and obscure man-made attractions or restaurants. Do not easily believe their promotions. Also, try to avoid eating around the attraction, as many nearby restaurants overcharge customers severely. Travel guide Here there are nine courtyards in total, with over a hundred buildings symmetrically arranged on both sides of the central axis. After entering the first memorial gate, "Confucius Temple - Lingxing Gate," and looking inward, one sees gateways layered deep beyond sight. Next, you will pass through the Confucius Temple - Shengshi Gate, Confucius Temple - Hongdao Gate, Dazhong Gate, and Tongwen Gate in sequence, with lush courtyards between each gate. Among them, there is a corner tower on each side near the corners of the Dazhong Gate, while the Tongwen Gate has two large stone steles on each side, which are the famous four imperial steles from the Ming Dynasty. Beyond the Tongwen Gate stands the towering Kuixing Pavilion, a library building originally constructed during the Song Dynasty. Past the Kuixing Pavilion, you'll find thirteen stele pavilions housing over fifty stone inscriptions from various dynasties, primarily recording imperial temple renovations and sacrificial ceremonies. Further ahead lies the Dacheng Gate, whose name plaque bears the calligraphy of Emperor Yongzheng from the Qing Dynasty. The architectural highlight here is the interlocking flying eaves between the Dacheng Gate and adjacent stele pavilions. Beyond the Dacheng Gate stands a pavilion named "Confucius Temple - Apricot Altar," built by Confucius' descendants to commemorate his teaching. Further ahead lies the majestic Confucius Temple - Dacheng Hall, with its twenty-eight stone columns adorned with cloud-and-dragon relief carvings. Inside the hall hang inscribed plaques, including Emperor Kangxi's calligraphy "Model teacher for all ages" and Emperor Guangxu's "The essence of culture resides here." Confucius Temple - Dacheng Hall is the main hall and iconic building of the attraction. It is known as one of the "three great halls of the East" along with the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Palace Museum and the Tiankuang Hall in Dai Temple. The hall enshrines a statue of Confucius in the center, flanked by statues of his 72 disciples and other Confucian sages. Major Confucius worship activities by emperors throughout history were held here. Today, many visitors come here daily, among whom areDacheng HallIt used to be quite popular for incense offerings. Dacheng HallThe rear hall enshrines Confucius' wife Qiguan Shi, while the hall of sacred traces contains stone-carved comic strips depicting Confucius' deeds. Additionally,Dacheng HallThe western path features structures for worshipping Confucius's parents, while the eastern path includes Confucius's former residence and the Lu Wall. The "Lu Wall" is a short section of low wall where, according to legend, Confucius's descendants hid his bamboo scrolls during the Qin Shi Huang's "burning of books and burying of scholars" era. During Emperor Wu of Han's reign, bamboo slips such as the "Analects" and the "Classic of Filial Piety" were discovered here. Attraction activities Throughout dynasties, it has been a place for worshipping Confucius, and the Confucius worship activity continues to this day. In recent years, the grand Confucius memorial ceremony is usually held between September 26 and October 10 annually, featuring large-scale temple music and dance activities. You can see many participants wearing Hanfu and traditional hats, along with people from all walks of life coming to pay homage to the sage Confucius.

Qufu · 24.6km from Ningyang

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Selected for Best Things to Do in Shandong

Kong Family Mansion

5.9

4.6/5

2.3k reviews

The Kong Family Mansion lies to the east of the Temple of Confucius. It was the historical residence of the direct descendants of Confucius and is a typical example of architecture from Chinese feudal society. The building contains official spaces and residential quarters. The enormous mansion has nine courtyards and over 400 rooms. There are a large number of historical relics on display.

Qufu · 24.6km from Ningyang

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No. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Qufu

Confucius Museum

6.2

4.9/5

621 reviews

The Confucius Museum is a museum built to commemorate Confucius, showcase Confucius' thoughts and doctrines, and spread and promote traditional culture represented by Confucian culture. It is located at No. 100 Confucius Avenue, Qufu City, Shandong Province. The main building is based on the imitation of Han-style architecture. It is a large-scale modern museum with a clear theme and comprehensive features. Construction began in early 2013 and it officially opened on September 6, 2019. The collections of the Confucius Museum are mainly from the old collections accumulated by the Confucius Mansion over thousands of years in history, and its profound cultural support is the long and splendid history of Confucius' hometown. The Confucius Museum is an extension of the "Three Confucius" cultural heritage. It has a rich collection of 700,000 cultural relics of various types. The world-famous collections include 300,000 private documents and archives of the Confucius Mansion from the Ming Dynasty to 1948, more than 40,000 rare ancient books since the Song Dynasty, more than 8,000 Ming and Qing Dynasty costumes, and a large number of ritual instruments related to the worship of Confucius. The Confucius Museum has a total exhibition area of 17,000 square meters. The Upward exhibition hall is the basic exhibition of Confucius, which consists of the preface hall and five parts. The preface hall gives a comprehensive introduction to Confucius through multimedia projection. The five parts are Confucius' era, Confucius' life, Confucius' wisdom, Confucius and Chinese civilization, and Confucius and world civilization. The Downward exhibition hall is the basic exhibition of poetry and rituals, which is divided into three units: Yuyin Baishi, Confucius Mansion Archives, and Quli Legacy. In addition, there is a special exhibition hall for temporary exhibitions. The exhibition uses cultural relics and artistic scenes as carriers, high technology as a means, and serves the public, especially young students, as the main goal, highlighting interactive experience and perception.

Qufu · 27.7km from Ningyang

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Confucius Forest

5

4.6/5

844 reviews

Located north of Qufu, the Cemetery of Confucius is also known as "Zhisheng Forest," where Confucius and his descendants were buried. Since Confucius was buried here in 479 BC, his descendants were also buried here, and there are about 100,000 tombs so far. The Cemetery of Confucius is a very large, long-standing and well-preserved complex of tombs and artificial gardens.

Qufu · 22.7km from Ningyang

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2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Mount Taishan

9

4.7/5

63k reviews

Mount Taishan is centered around Mount Taishan, the first of the Five Great Mountains, with steep and towering peaks, and the views of sunrise and sunset from the summit are breathtaking. Sea of clouds often appear among the mountains, and in winter there are spectacular rime ice views. In addition to natural scenery, the mountain also has numerous historical sites, stone inscriptions, religious temples, and other cultural views, with cliff inscriptions and steles scattered throughout the mountain, which is a major feature of Mount Taishan. Mount Taishan has its own highlights in each of the four seasons: in spring, peach and pear blossoms bloom across the mountains; in summer, the mountaintop is lush green and cool, making it a great summer retreat; in fall, the leaves are a mix of red and yellow, dyeing the layered forests in brilliant colors. There are multiple routes to the summit of Mount Taishan. The hiking trail at the Hongmen entrance is the traditional route opened during Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Fengshan ceremony, consisting mainly of stone steps. Walking from Hongmen to Zhongtianmen, you will pass by numerous attractions along the way, including Wanxian Tower, Doumu Palace, Huima Ridge, and Hutiange. This area is also where stone inscriptions are concentrated. After reaching Zhongtianmen, you can take a cable car or walk to Nantianmen and the summit area, where you can see attractions such as Eighteen Bends, Shengxian Archway, Duisong Mountain, Chaoyang Cave, and Wudafu Pines. The Tianwaicun route is a road leading from Tianwaicun to Zhongtianmen, accessible by tour bus, passing by Heilong Pool, Fanzhi Cliff, and Feng Yuxiang's Tomb. After reaching Zhongtianmen, it merges with the latter half of the Hongmen route. Travelers who prefer not to hike can choose this route. The Tianzhufeng route is relatively steep with few visitors, and is a hiking route often taken by outdoor enthusiasts. It features beautiful mountain scenery, including attractions such as Liyu Back, and at the starting point there is also the large-scale live performance "Chinese Mount Taishan: Grand Ceremony of Fengshan." The Taohuayu route is mostly chosen by travelers when descending the mountain. From Tianjie at the summit, take the ropeway to the mountainside, then transfer to a tour bus down to Taohuayu at the foot of the mountain. Along the way, you can enjoy the Colorful Stone Stream scenic area, where the colorful stone patterns at the bottom of the stream are quite magical. Dongyudao is also a walking hiking route, with attractions such as Qingyang Hall, Hanque Gate, and Dongtianmen along the way. Each route ultimately leads to the Daiding tourist area at the summit. Daiding features the main peak of Mount Taishan, Jade Emperor Peak, the Tianjie Scenic Area, as well as attractions such as Sun Viewing Peak, Daguan Peak, Zhanlu Terrace, Bixia Temple, and Confucius Temple. On clear days at the summit, you can gaze at the Yellow River in the distance and admire the wonder of the "Golden Belt of the Yellow River." The Houshiwu area is rich in varied pines and rocks, and there is a cableway leading to the North Heavenly Gate. Many visitors who want to watch the sunrise choose to climb Mount Taishan at night, usually setting off from the Hongmen route, and it is advisable to depart around 11 pm. This route is well lit at night, and a hike of about seven to eight hours will allow you to reach Sun Viewing Peak or Jade Emperor Peak at the summit before sunrise, which are ideal spots for watching the sunrise.

Tai'an · 61.5km from Ningyang

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Selected for Fall Viewing Attractions in Shandong

Nishan Sacred Land

7.1

4.5/5

7.2k reviews

Nishan Holy Land: Located in Nishan, Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, adjacent to the Nishan Confucian Temple, the overall planning covers an area of 44.78 square kilometers, with the overall idea of "Confucius' world, the world's Confucius" as the overall idea, with "cultural virtuous resort" and " World-class cultural tourism destination" is the overall positioning, integrating cultural exchange, cultural experience, learning and enlightenment, eco-tourism, leisure vacation, education and training, and is known as "another frontier window for the world to know Shandong and China." . There are statues of Confucius, the Great Hall, the Hall of Seventy-two Sages, five halls of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and faith, and the performance of "Sound of Gold and Jade Vibration". Scenic tours are divided into night tours and day tours. The outdoor activities mainly include: Nishan Shengxiu + UAV performances (night activities)-shocking light and shadow composed of light, shadow, water curtain, fountain, fireworks, and drones Water show performances, Ren Shan Zhi Shui experience the joy of the sacred landscape landscape. Respecting the ancestors activities (matine session)--respecting the ancestor Confucius, ascending the steps to pray for blessings, and gaining insight into the wisdom of saints. Indoor activities mainly include: The Way of the University, hand-reading the Analects of Confucius, drums and sheng, Mingli Small Theater, Tianxia Guiren Lighting Show, Qipan Dance, Qingge Mandance, Paper Fan Welcome Dance and other activities.

Qufu · 44.5km from Ningyang

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No. 6 of Night Attractions in Shandong

Nishan Cultural Tourism Resort

7.1

4.3/5

1.1k reviews

The Nishan cultural tourism resort is located approx. 25 km southeast of Qufu city, Jining, Shandong province, China, built around the birthplace of Confucius.NishanA cultural tourism complex built with attractions including Nishan holy land,Luyuan villageNishan Confucian temple. The attraction features "etiquette and landscape" as its highlights, serving as an important destination to explore the roots of Confucian culture. It is suitable for culture enthusiasts, families, and study visitors. 1. Core attraction highlights: 1. Birthplace of Confucius:NishanIt is the place of birth of Confucius, the founder of Confucianism (551 BC), known as the "cradle of Confucian culture". The attraction preserves historical sites such as the Confucius Cave (legendary birthplace of Confucius) and the Nishan Confucian Temple. 2. Nishan holy land: The core cultural experience area includes: Nishan sacred land - Confucius statue: A 72 m tall giant bronze statue of Confucius, symbolizing the "72 disciples". University hall: An immersive exhibition space blending architectural aesthetics with Confucian culture, featuring five thematic halls dedicated to benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness. "Jinsheng Yuzhen" performance: A grand ritual music show showcasing the Confucian "enlightened lifestyle of rites". 3. Integration of nature and culture: Surrounded by Nishan Reservoir (Confucius Lake), the landscape blends ecological harmony with poetic charm. 2. Main attractions: 1Nishan Confucian temple and academyOriginally built during the Northern Wei dynasty and renovated through successive dynasties, it serves as an important site for Confucius worship. 2. Fuzi cave: A natural stone cave where Confucius was allegedly abandoned after birth but later retrieved and raised due to miraculous signs. 3Nishan night tourNightlife: Light shows, drone performances and other modern technologies showcasing traditional culture.

Qufu · 45.8km from Ningyang

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Ctrip Travel Experience Center (Sankong Scenic Area Branch)

4.5

5.0/5

246 reviews

The center organically integrates tourist information, a Trip VIP lounge, scenic shuttle bus transfers, intangible cultural heritage experiences, an aesthetic tea space, and city Souvenir. With the core concept of "Cats in Qufu, Experience a Slow City," it deeply integrates Confucian culture, the local slow-life aesthetic, and smart tourism services. Through technological empowerment and conceptual rethinking, the Trip Travel Experience Center forges a symbiotic relationship of "using intelligence to promote slow travel" in modern travel. By "improving efficiency, reducing burdens, and deepening understanding," it creates the spatial and psychological conditions for slow travel. Slow travel, in turn, imbues technology with warmth, meaning, and sustainability, restoring a sense of human presence and the rhythmic breathing of the land in an era of speed. Technology is the gateway, and a slow mind is the path back.

Qufu · 24.4km from Ningyang

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Temple of Yan Hui

4.3

4.7/5

139 reviews

In the Analects, Confucius praises Yan Hui everywhere, and Yan Hui is also famous for his virtue. Therefore, when later generations worship Confucius, they also constantly raise the honorific title for Yan Hui. During the Yuan Dynasty, Yan Hui was given the title of "Fusheng Gong" and honored as "Fusheng". The Yan Temple is also called "Fusheng Temple". The Yan Temple is divided into five courtyards, with 159 halls, pavilions, storehouses, and gatehouses. The main buildings in the temple include Fusheng Gate, Guiren Gate, Yangsheng Gate, Louxiangjing, Leting, Fusheng Hall, and stele pavilions. It is a rare and large ancient building complex. There is a Louxiang Well inside the Fusheng Gate and an octagonal open-air pavilion outside. To the north of the well is a stone tablet of "Louxiang Well" erected in the Ming Dynasty to commemorate Yan Hui's frugal character of "living in a humble alley with only a bowl of rice and a jug of water". The Fusheng Hall is the main hall. There are also tablets of Yan family celebrities such as Yan Zhitui, Yan Shigu, Yan Zhenqing, and Yan Gaoqing in the east and west wings.

Qufu · 24.5km from Ningyang

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Experiences you can't miss in Ningyang

Duration: 8 hrs

English

Free cancellation

FromAED 924.45

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Ningyang Today's weatherHazy 6-15℃

Ningyang weather for the next 2 days11/14: 5-18℃, 11/15: 6-17℃

Free things to do in Ningyang

Anonymous user10 August 2026

5.0

We brought our child to experience the Song brocade and the little book lamp activities, which were excellent! The staff was very patient! Our child loved it, and the environment was super nice! We'll definitely come back to try other activities next time!

Ctrip Travel Experience Center (Sankong Scenic Area Branch)

风雨做的梦想曲会差9 February 2026

4.0

The Yan Temple was built to commemorate Yan Hui and is a free attraction. It's a ten-minute walk from the east gate of the Confucius Temple. The archway at the entrance dates back to the Ming Dynasty, while the Louxiang Well is even older. Although the Leting Pavilion and Fusheng Hall are reconstructions, they are very well-preserved. My middle school student had just studied a classical Chinese essay about Yan Hui last semester, so the experience was excellent. Overall, it's worth a visit.

Temple of Yan Hui

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Frequently asked questions

What are the recommended tours and excursions in Ningyang?

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Chinese Group Day Tour to Jinan & Mount Tai: Five Sacred Mountains' Supreme Peak, Jade Emperor Summit with Admission Tickets & Scenic Area Shuttle Included, Jinan Qufu's Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and Kong Family Mansion Bus Group Day Tour with Confucius Temple, Kong Family Mansion, and Confucius Forest, and 1-day tour to Mount Taishan + Yuhuang Ding + Dai Temple from Jinan with Chinese and English service available. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

What's the typical cost of day tours and activities in Ningyang?

As of 13 November 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Ningyang is around AED 209.48 – AED 924.45. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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Can I change or cancel my booking?

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

How can I get discounted prices?

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.

Things to do in Ningyang

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Top 10 attractions in Ningyang