Qufu and Mount Taishan
Qufu
Located in Shandong Province, Qufu is a famous ancient and cultural city. The city was the capital of the State of Lu, between spring and autumn and was also the capital during the Warring States period (770 - 221 B.C.).
Qufu's biggest draw though, is that it was the birthplace of one of China's greatest philosophers, Confucius (551- 479 B.C.) .The many temples, mansions and woodland associated with Confucianism, have been put on the World Cultural Heritage List by the UNESCO.
The Temple of Confucius (Kong Miao) was first erected in 478 B.C., but the structures you see today were built during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 - 1911). There are in total three halls, one altar, one pavilion, 3 ancestral temples and nine courtyards in an area of 218,000 square metres.
Over the centuries the Temple of Confucius was used for sacrificial ceremonies to worship the great sage. It is believed that during the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong offered eight sacrifices during his reign, a true indication of the importance of Confucianism.
The temple is famed for its grandeur and for the large number of cultural relics found there. Over 2000, steles and stone sculptures from varying dynasties.
The three main areas within the temple to visit are; Dacheng Hall, which stands at over 45 metres, is the tallest building in the temple and is one of the three largest ancient halls in China; Apricot Alter, which is where Confucius is said to have preached and Kuiwen Pavilion, a two story library, containing books and writings given by emporers and kings.
The Kong Family Mansions or Confucian Mansion was home to later generations of the sage. It covers a huge area of 39 acres and within the grounds can be found 463 buildings. In size it is next only to the royal palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The mansion contains numerous relics of great cultural importance and boasts beautiful architecture.
The Cemetery of Confucius is located 1 kilometre from Qufu. It has buried there, the longest line of descendents in the world. The cemetery has a wall surrounding it of over 7 kilometres long and is thought to enclose more then 10,000 tombs.
Following a tree-lined route to the cemetery, you will eventually reach a wooden memorial archway, called Zhi Sheng Lin (the Most Sacred Cemetery).
Mt. Taishan
Although not the highest, Mt.Taishan is the most famous mountain in China and symbolizes Chinese spirit. As far back as the Qin Dynasty (221BC- 207BC), the mountain has been a place for emperors to worship Heaven and Earth. They have since left countless literature and steles there, earning the mountain the name 'A Natural Museum of History and Art.'
The scenery around Mt.Taishan is spectacular and it has five main scenic areas:
East Route is the easiest way to reach the summit of Mt, Taishan. 'Serenity' characterizes the east route, as you pass pavilions, gates and the Eighteen Bends, a climb of 1630 steps.
West Route is characterized by 'Vastness', as you pass an expanse of natural scenery, with ridges, peaks, valleys and waterfalls. Other sites as you climb, include The Black Dragon Pool and the Remains of Tian Sheng Fort.
Mid-Heaven Gate is the point at which the east and west routes meet. From this point you get a breathtaking view of the surrounding area, of Mid-stream Mountain, the Wen River, Phoenix Valley and the Summit itself, which is often shrouded in cloud. At this point of the climb, you have a cable car facility to the summit as well as the option of helicopter rides.
Jade Emperor Summit is the highest point of Mt.Taishan. At its summit is the Jade Emperor Temple, which houses a bronze statue of the Jade Emperor.The best views at this point are of the Yellow River and far below and of the sunrise.
The Dai Temple is located to the north of Tai'an City. It was originally constructed during the Qin Dynasty, but now has characteristics from the many dynasties that followed. However most of the attractions, within the temple are left over from the Han Dynasty (206BC - 220AD).
