China (Qufu, Shandong) Sept 2010 D-6

Map of Qufu, Shandong, China 

Hostel: Qufu International Youth Hostel - CNY50 (2 nights)

Bus + Taxi + Rickshaw : CNY67
Food & groceries: CNY45
Entrance fee (confucius Temple, mansion & cementary): CNY75 (50% discount)
Total expenses incurred: CNY237

Our group took a mini bus (CNY20) from a bus terminal in front of the Taishan train station to Qufu (1 hr ride). From the Qufu bus station, we took a taxi (CNY15) to our hostel. It was mid-day in Qufu so we had ample time to visit the Confucius Temple, mansion & cemetery. The temple & mansion were within walking distance from our hostel but we had to take a public bus to Confucius cemetery which was located 3km from the city centre. It was raining cats & dogs in Qufu during the day and night.

1) Confucius Temple, Qufu, Shandong - memorial halls, courtyards, old cypress trees, steles with inscriptions, Confucius well, Dacheng Hall with carved dragon coiled columns dating back to the Tang & Qin dynasty - I had to use my imagination to figure out the life of Confucius and his followers during the ancient period.

2) Confucius Mansion, Qufu, Shandong - dating back to 16th century, now administered by the Kong descendants.

3) Confucius Forest (cemetery), Qufu, Shandong - Confucius and his descendants were buried here 2,000 years ago. The forest park covers an area of 200 hectares so we took a internal tourist vehicle (CNY20) to visit some of the Confucius tombs

" Qufu, Shandong is the birth & death place of Confucius (551-479 BC). Is Confucianism still relevant to the younger generation of today ? I believe so ! A big party is held on 28 Sept every year to mark Confucius or Kong Qiu's birthday.

The Secrets of Life: Know where you're going in life. You may have already be there "