Confucius was born in 551 BCE near Qufu (which is pronounced Chu-fu) and after his travels as a young man, retired to a small cottage there, teaching his philosophy to the many who sought him.

After his death, his cottage was converted into a temple to honor him and was added to, until by modern times the complex had spread over 49 acres in the middle of Qufu. The shrine attracted both Chinese and Western travelers who claimed that the city had a profound effect upon them.

During the Cultural Revolution of 1966-1976, Confucianism was denounced and the Red Guards sacked the temple and smashed a huge statue of Confucius as well as the ancestral tablets of the Kong family. Chinese ceased to visit the city and foreigners were no longer allowed there.

Today many Chinese can again visit Qufu to walk where the master himself walked. The family mansion is a museum and may be visited along with the Temple and Confucius' grave, which is within walking distance.


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