For a trip back into the history of China and insight into the philosophy that is ingrained in the culture of this country, visit Qufu. Famous for being the birthplace of Confucius, this ancient town is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples, gardens, and other sights are heavily visited, but the town seems to keep a quiet, peaceful air. There are many Chinese tourists around, though few foreigners venture to Qufu. The town of Qufu, outside of the Confucius-related sites, is quiet and has some old buildings that harkens back to the past glory of this area.

The Temple of Confucius is crowded, but worth a visit especially if you want to get a glimpse of some impressive architecture including the massive wood Great Pavilion. The various halls and other buildings hold carvings, engravings, and wood-block prints pertaining to Confucius and his legacy. The nearby Confucian Mansion is an impressive complex containing numerous chambers. The Confucian Forest is a large, well-manicured garden with trees. The family cemetery where Confucius and his offspring are buried is on this site, and is probably the most worthwhile part of a tour through these three adjacent sites.

Wandering the town of Qufu itself will reveal a quieter scene. The old city wall and moat are interesting.

A trip to Qufu can be overwhelming for the simple reason that, as a foreign tourist, you will be bothered throughout your stay by hawkers and people who are merely curious. The whole tourist scene here seems contradictory to the peaceful surroundings. The nearby city of Jinan offers some respite from the brash tourism of Qufu. This relatively untouristed city with several good parks and temples worth checking out. The problem with this city is that it is quite spread out and difficult to get around. Five Dragon Pool Park and the adjacent temple are worth an afternoon as is the park around Thousand Buddha Mountains. A cable car runs up the side of the mountain. There are some wonderful views from the top. There are many Buddha statues inside the area, making it an interesting place for a quiet stroll.

The noisy and crowded feel of Qufu’s Confucian sights might disappoint many visitors. However, they are still worth a trip and the off-the-beaten-path feel of nearby Jinan offers a contrast to the chaos of Qufu. If visited en route to some of Shandong provinces other sites, Qufu is a worthwhile stop, as is Jinan,