After suffering in Qufu and returning, here are some brutally honest truths

Qufu August Walking Guide｜Eat your way through the Holy City in three days + fill up your memory card with photos!​ Location Qufu, the "cultural heart" of Shandong, is the hometown of Confucius! 🏮 The streets are full of ancient-style buildings, even the street lamps look like calligraphy brushes, instantly transporting you back to the Spring and Autumn period~ The Three Confucian Sites (Confucius Temple, Confucius Mansion, Confucius Cemetery) are the absolute highlights, while Nishan Holy Land is the new internet sensation, with a light show so beautiful it takes your breath away✨ 🎒Three days of walking until your legs are sore route​ Day 1: Three Confucian Sites Walk + Night Tour of Liao River​ • Morning: Start at the Confucius Temple! Rush in as it opens at 7:30 to avoid crowds and get empty shots 📸 The dragon pillar reliefs in the Dacheng Hall are amazing, remember to touch the "Greedy Wall" • Noon: Head to Yanmiao Street to eat Wang Ji Porridge Shop’s lamb porridge! Milky rice porridge with slow-cooked lamb, so delicious you'll lick the bowl 🥣 Next door, Zhong Ji Smoked Tofu is crispy outside and tender inside, the smoky flavor is addictive~ • Evening: Focus on Liao River Ancient Street! Take a boat to watch the light show, enjoy grilled skewers at Shizhuang by the riverbank, paired with Qufu pancakes (so crispy they crumble), all for about 50 yuan per person, eating until you’re full. Day 2: Nishan Holy Land Immortal Cultivation Journey​ • Morning: Head straight to the University Hall! The indoor air conditioning is a lifesaver 🆒 The sculptures of the Seventy-two Worthies Corridor are super lifelike, and DIY sachets (30 yuan) make perfect gifts for your besties~ • Noon: Order the Shili Ginkgo at the University Hall restaurant, sweet and glutinous ginkgo with honey, the same health food Confucius enjoyed~ • Evening: The main event is the "Golden Sound and Jade Vibration" performance (book tickets on Trip.com 2 days in advance!), the drone fireworks show is so beautiful it makes you scream 🎆 Day 3: Discovering Hidden Gems​ • Morning: Breathe fresh air at Shimen Mountain! The summit’s Guyun Cottage is where "The Peach Blossom Fan" was created, the bamboo forest is super healing~ • Noon: At the foot of the mountain, try Qufu Stir-fried Chicken at a farmhouse restaurant, tender chicken stir-fried over a wood fire with green peppers, spicy enough to make you gasp 🌶️ • Evening: Shop at Wuma Temple Street! Buy carved Ruyi (starting at 200 yuan) and limited edition Nishan inkstones as souvenirs, remember to bargain. 🔥Top 5 Must-Visit Spots​ 1. Confucius Temple Dacheng Hall｜8:00-17:30｜Dragon pillar reliefs are a must-shoot, morning light is best for photos! 2. Nishan Holy Land University Hall｜9:00-20:00｜DIY experiences are super fun, air conditioning is a lifesaver~ 3. Liao River Ancient Street Boat Tour｜18:30-22:00｜Free! The light and shadow show will stun your social media 4. Yanmiao Street Snacks｜All day｜Lamb porridge + smoked tofu = carb bomb happiness 5. Shimen Mountain Guyun Cottage｜8:00-17:00｜Free! Bamboo forest ancient-style photos are amazing. 🏨 Accommodation Recommendations​ • Qufu Nishan Academy Hotel: Inside the scenic area! Butler service + Hanfu experience, only downside is the price~ • All Seasons Hotel (Three Confucian Sites Branch): Platinum members can get late checkout! Rooms have stylish tea sets, about 200 yuan per night per person. 🚌 Transportation Guide​ • Day 1: Taxi from Qufu East Station to Confucius Temple (20 yuan), walk and electric cart inside the Three Confucian Sites (30 yuan/day) • Day 2: Taxi to Nishan Holy Land (50 yuan), unlimited shuttle bus rides inside the scenic area for 20 yuan • Day 3: Rent a car to Shimen Mountain (150 yuan/day), remember to bargain! 📸 Photo Spots​ • Confucius Temple Xingtan: Red walls + ancient cypress (beautiful backlight in the morning) • Nishan under Confucius statue’s feet: Overhead panoramic shot (blue hour at dusk) • Liao River Ancient Street Stone Bridge: Shoot reflections (when the light show starts) 🍜 Food Highlights​ 1. Lamb Porridge: Wang Ji Porridge Shop, the aroma of rice mixed with lamb fat, a stomach-warming must-have! 2. Confucius Mansion Tofu: Crispy outside, tender inside, dip in chili sauce for heavenly bites~ 3. Shili Ginkgo: University Hall exclusive, sweet but not greasy, like candied fruit 4. Qufu Pancakes: Thin and crispy with crushed peanuts, so crunchy you can’t stop 5. Smoked Tofu: The smoky flavor hits your headspace, perfect with beer 💰 Three-Day Expense List​ • Accommodation: Nishan Academy 1 night 1000 yuan + All Seasons 1 night 400 yuan = painful but worth it! • Food & Drink: 150 yuan per day on average, smoked tofu 5 yuan per piece until full~ • Tickets: Three Confucian Sites combo 140 yuan + Nishan show 200 yuan = cultural certification fee Summary: Spent big but every penny went into the experience, totally worth it! 💡 Tips​ • Always carry your ID! The Three Confucian Sites require ID for entry • Bring mosquito repellent for Nishan night tour, mosquitoes are more enthusiastic than Confucius’ students • Booking tickets on Trip.com is cheaper than on-site and you can grab special room deals 🙃 Suffering: The ground at Confucius Temple is scorching at noon, thick-soled shoes are recommended! The Nishan shuttle bus line can take an hour, you’ll get sun-dried like a salted fish… This trip was a double win for culture lovers and photographers! Be a Confucius disciple by day, a food monster by night~ The only regret is not trying the full Confucius Mansion banquet (is being broke my fault!) Any pros have hidden tips? Drop them in the comments!