Confucius Cemetery

Confucius Cemetery

The Confucius Cemetery (commonly referred to as "Confucian Forest) occupying more than 200 hectares, has served as the family graveyard of Confucius and his descendants for more than 2,300 years. The Cemetery lies to the north of the town on Lindao Lu of Qufu, the oldest graves found in this location date back to the Zhou Dynasty.

The pine and cypress forest of over 100,000 trees (it is said that each of Confucius’ students planted a tree from his birthplace) covers 200 hectares and is bounded by a wall 10km long. Confucius and his descendants have been buried here over the past 2000 years, and are still being buried here today. Flanking the approach to the Tomb of Confucius are pairs of stone panthers, griffins and larger-than-life guardians. The Confucian barrow is a simple grass mound enclosed by a low wall and faced with a Ming dynasty stele. His sons are buried nearby. Scattered through the forest are dozens of temples and pavilions.
Electronic golf carts scuttle around the forest (included in the admission fee) stopping at more important tombs en route.

From the ticket gate, the route to the forest passes through the Eternal Spring Archway; its stone lintels are decorated with coiled dragons, flying phoenixes and galloping horses dating from 1594. Visitors, who needed permission to enter the Confucian Forest, had to dismount at the Forest Gates.
When you walk into the Cemetery and fully enjoy the treasures here, you will certainly be impressed by the role of Confucius in Chinese culture.