Qufu Overview

Located in southwestern Shandong and covering an area of 815 km² , Qufu governs 4 subdistricts and 8 towns and has a total population of 650,000. As the hometown of Confucius, the great thinker, statesman, educator and founder of Confucianism in ancient China, Qufu is a world famous historical and cultural city, which is called one of the World's Three Holy Cities together with Jerusalem and Mecca.

Known as the capital of Shennong Emperor, the birthplace of the Yellow Emperor, the ruins of Shaohao Emperor, the capital of Shang and Yin Dynasties, the capital of Lu State of Zhou and Han Dynasties, Qufu is one of the 24 Chinese National Historical and Cultural Cities, important cradle of the oriental culture and one of the world’s greatest and most ancient shrines of culture. Numerous prominent people, including 5 of the legendary “Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors” left their traces here; great sages like Duke Zhou, Confucius, Yanhui, Zisi and Liuxia Hui lived here once; ingenious craftsman Lu Ban and famous dramatist Kong Shangren made their achievements here.

The extensive and profound Confucian culture and inexhaustible resource advantages bestow unique charm on Qufu. Annual China (Qufu) International Confucius Culture Festival held on Confucius’ birthday was officially recognized among China’s 10 most significant festivities. Qufu is also where multiple national and international cultural events held, such as the award ceremony of UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy and that of Confucius Culture Prize, World Confucian Conference, Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, CCTV New Year’s Gala, etc. Excellent Traditional Culture Inheritance and Development Demonstration Zone of Qufu has been taken into China’s 13th Five-Year Plan.