Qufu Confucian Forest

Confucian Forest, also known as the Forest of the Most Sage, is located at No. 18 North Gulou Street, Qufu City, Jining City, Shandong Province. It was established in the 16th year of Duke Ai of Lu during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (479 BC) and serves as the family cemetery for Confucius and his descendants. Together with the Confucius Mansion and the Confucius Temple, they are collectively referred to as the 'Three Confucius Sites'. The Confucian Forest covers an area of nearly 2 million square meters, with over 100,000 tombs, connected by a spirit way to the city gate. Confucius' tomb is located in the central part of the forest, with a mound shaped like a reclining axe. During the Han Dynasty, a shrine was built and a Spirit Gate was erected; in the Song Dynasty, stone implements were carved; in the Yuan Dynasty, steles were erected, enclosures were built, and heavy gates were constructed; in the Ming Dynasty, the Enjoyment Hall and the tomb gate were rebuilt, and the Zhu Shui Bridge Square and the Eternal Spring Square were added. The rich above-ground cultural relics of the Confucian Forest are of great value for the study of the evolution of China's burial system and ancient politics, economy, culture, customs, calligraphy, art, and more.