Qufu Confucius Temple

Qufu Confucius Temple, also known as 'Queli Zhisheng Temple', is located 300 meters west of the Drum Tower in the center of Qufu City. It is a temple for worshipping Confucius, a famous ancient Chinese thinker and educator. It was first built in the 17th year of Duke Ai of Lu (478 BC) and has been expanded and renovated by successive generations. Qufu Confucius Temple is based on Confucius' residence and is worshipped 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 gatehouses in the temple. It is surrounded by red walls and equipped with corner towers at the four corners. It is built in the style of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It is collectively referred to as 'Three Kongs' with the adjacent Kong Mansion and Kong Forest in the north of the city. Qufu Confucius Temple was called a 'unique example' in the history of world architecture by architect Liang Sicheng.