Qufu

Qufu is a city in China.

It sits in a place called Shandong. Two rivers flow through the city.

Many people know it for a man named Confucius. He was born near a mountain.

The city has many old temples and homes. You can see his big tomb there.

There is also a large family mansion.

These old sites are very special to the world.

Qufu is a city in East China. It sits in Shandong province.

Two rivers flow through the city. These are the Si River and the Yi River. The city has about 653,000 people. Many people know Qufu as the home of Confucius. He was born near Mount Ni.

The city has many old and famous places. These sites are called San Kong. They include the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion.

These three sites are very special. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means the whole world helps protect them.

You can see old streets in Qufu.

Trains help people travel to the city. A high-speed railway runs through Qufu. There is also a station at Qufu East. The city has a mix of old and new parts. The old center has a big city wall. The modern part of the city sits to the south.

Qufu is a city in the southwestern part of Shandong province in East China.

It sits south of the provincial capital, Jinan, and northeast of Jining. The city covers an area of 815 square kilometers. About 653,000 people live there today. Most of these people live in the urban areas. Two rivers, the Si River and the Yi River, flow through the city. The name Qufu means "crooked hill." This name comes from a mile-long hill that was once part of the city.

Qufu is most famous as the hometown of Confucius. People believe he was born at nearby Mount Ni. Because of him, the city is full of historic palaces and temples. Three special sites are known as the San Kong. These are the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion.

These three places are very important to world history. They have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

The history of Qufu goes back a very long time. During the Spring and Autumn period, it was the capital of the state of Lu. The city has changed many times over the years. In 1012, it was even given a new name, Xianyuan County. The city walls you see today were built during the Ming dynasty in 1522.

Long ago, the city was much larger than it is now. It had walls that reached much further to the east and north.

In the early 1900s, people had big debates about the city. A new railway was being built to connect North and South China. Some people wanted the tracks to go right through Qufu. However, leaders wanted to protect the sacred Kong Family Forest. They feared the train would hurt the local feng shui. Because of this, the railway was moved away from the city. This decision helped keep the historic sites safe from the tracks.

Today, Qufu is a mix of old and new. The old center is surrounded by a restored Ming-era wall. You can find the Drum Tower in the middle of this walled city. The modern downtown area sits just to the south of the old walls.

Traveling to Qufu is easy because of modern trains. A high-speed railway opened in 2011 and stops at Qufu East station. There is also a high-speed station at Qufu South. These trains connect the ancient city to the rest of the country.

Qufu is a county-level city located in southwestern Shandong province in East China.

It sits south of the provincial capital, Jinan, and northeast of the prefectural seat at Jining. The city covers a total area of 815 square kilometers. Currently, the population is approximately 653,000 inhabitants. Of this total, about 188,000 people live in urban areas. The geography of the region includes the Si River and the Yi River, which both flow through the city. Qufu is most famous globally as the hometown of the philosopher Confucius. Tradition holds that he was born at the nearby Mount Ni.

The city is defined by its deep connection to Confucian history. It contains many historic palaces, temples, and cemeteries. The most significant cultural sites are collectively called the San Kong. This group includes the Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion.

Because of their immense historical value, these three sites were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

The name "Qufu" literally translates to "crooked hill." This name refers to a mile-long hill that was once part of the city when it served as the capital of the state of Lu.

The history of the area dates back to the Pre-Qin era. During the Shang dynasty, the region was inhabited by the people of Yan. They were classified by the Chinese as the Dongyi, or "Eastern Barbarians." After a failed rebellion by the Yan and other groups against the Duke of Zhou, the territory was brought under the control of loyal nobles. Eventually, the territory of Yan became part of the state of Lu. During the Spring and Autumn period, Qufu served as the capital for this state. At that time, the city walls were much larger than the fortifications seen today from the Ming era.

Qufu has experienced several administrative changes over many centuries. In 1012, the city was renamed Xianyuan County. During this time, the city center was relocated to a site east of the current walled city. This new location was near the supposed birthplace of the legendary Yellow Emperor. In 1142, the Jin dynasty renamed the area back to Qufu. However, the city remained at its Song dynasty location. The current city walls were not constructed until 1522, during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor of the Ming dynasty.

The city's layout has evolved significantly through different imperial eras. The historical center is currently surrounded by restored Ming-era walls and moats.

The Drum Tower sits at the center of this walled area. Inside the walls, the Temple of Confucius, the Kong Family Mansion, and the Temple of Yan Hui occupy large sections of land. To the north of the walled city lies the Confucius Cemetery. The modern downtown area is located to the south of the old walls. To the east, you can find the Shaohao Tomb and the Shou Qiu historical site.

In the early 20th century, Qufu was at the center of a major debate regarding modernization. When the government planned the Tianjin–Pukou Railway, the original route was intended to pass directly through Qufu. This plan caused great concern among local leaders and conservative figures. They feared the railway would damage the "sacred veins" of the Kong Forest and disturb the local feng shui.

Kong Lingyi, the Duke Yansheng, submitted a formal petition to protect the site. Following this intervention and pressure from local gentry, the railway authorities diverted the line westward. While this protected the sacred sites, some critics argued it hindered the city's modernization by inconveniencing travelers.

Today, Qufu is well-connected to the rest of China through modern transportation. The Beijing–Shanghai railway passes through the region. In 2011, the north-south Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway opened, with Qufu East station serving the area. Additionally, the Qufu South railway station opened in 2021 on the east-west Rizhao–Lankao high-speed railway. These connections allow visitors to easily reach the ancient landmarks. The city remains a vital link between China's ancient philosophical roots and its modern industrial and transport networks.