Travel to Qufu, where a female disciple paid respects to the great master~

Now in Qufu, besides the traditional Three Confucian Sites, the popular pilgrimage destination is the Nishan Sacred Land Scenic Area, which is said to be the birthplace of Confucius. Over two thousand years have turned stories into legends, yet the charm of the classics can still be felt. The Nishan Sacred Land mainly includes the Nishan Sacred Palace Statue Area, the Great Hall, and the statue of Confucius. The 72-meter-high statue of Confucius stands atop the mountain, based on Wu Daozi's 'Confucius Teaching' from the Tang Dynasty, facing the rippling Nishan Reservoir, with layered mountains and scattered villages in the distance. There are no ancient relics here! Or rather, there are no authentic relics from the time of Confucius. It can be understood as a pilgrimage site for Confucian disciples and a place to experience traditional Confucian culture. It is also a great place to take time-travel-themed photos. Along the central axis facing the statue of Confucius, the Confucius Academy on the right is prepared for study, while visitors mainly visit the 'Great Hall' on the left. The square layout and the color scheme of white walls and brown tiles display a simple and natural Chinese style. The Great Hall includes the Hall of Wisdom, the Way of the Great Learning, the Corridor of the Seventy-two Sages, the Hall of Rites, the Hall of Righteousness, and the Hall of Benevolence, where one can gain a deep understanding of Confucian culture. Here, you can peacefully copy the Analects, listen to ancient music, and feel the profoundness of ancient Chinese culture. Or you can walk with your children along the Corridor of the Seventy-two Sages, letting them learn about the stories of ancient sages and pass on excellent traditional culture. There are scheduled dance and music performances at various points in the Great Hall, which you can watch according to the performance schedule. Every evening, there are drone and fireworks shows, but they may be canceled if the weather is bad (which happened to me). ⭐️ Recommended Spots 🔥 Corridor of the Seventy-two Sages: Known for its depth, but it's crowded, so it's best to go early or during lunchtime; 🔥 High Mountain Admiration Stairs: The lighting and colors are well-matched, but it's also crowded, so you can take a side shot; 🔥 Central Axis of the Confucius Statue: You can take a photo with the statue, but it depends on the weather. ⭐️ Transportation and Accommodation The scenic area is a bit far from the city center, and there are buses from the city visitor center and the Three Confucian Sites; The parking lot at the entrance of the scenic area is a bit far from the core scenic area, and there are shuttle buses after purchasing tickets; The visitor center offers Hanfu costume rentals, and I chose a 199 yuan package; The scenic area is quite large, and electric cars cost 20 yuan per person; There are night tours, so it's suitable to stay overnight, and there are many homestays in the nearby village. ⭐️ Additional Notes It used to be said that traditional Chinese people had no religious beliefs, but after walking around Qufu in Shandong, isn't Confucius' theory a belief rooted in the hearts of the Chinese people? From the sayings of sages to the annotations of great Confucians throughout the ages, from Confucian temples all over the country to the titles conferred on Confucius' descendants, from the enlightenment readings in childhood to the references in the imperial examination... all these theories have deeply ingrained themselves in the genes. Especially after visiting Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, and comparing them with other cultural circles in the world, one feels more strongly the emphasis East Asian countries place on education, family structure, and ways of thinking. Whether you acknowledge it or not, they are all disciples of Confucius.