Qufu: Where Confucian heritage lives on

Qufu, a historic city in east China’s Shandong Province, is the birthplace of Confucius and a major center of Confucian culture. Roughly two and a half hours from Beijing by rail, the city offers visitors more than ancient monuments. Here, a cultural tradition stretching back more than two millennia remains woven into everyday life.

At the heart of Qufu’s heritage are the Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion, which together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also home to more than 100 recognized forms of intangible cultural heritage. Among them is the Grand Ceremony of Worship of Confucius, a national heritage practice that continues Qufu’s long tradition of commemorating the philosopher.

Qufu also hosts events that carry this tradition into the present. The China International Confucius Cultural Festival celebrates Confucian culture, while ceremonies honoring recipients of the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy highlight the continuing importance of education.

The Nishan Forum on World Civilizations gives Qufu a broader international role. Bringing together scholars and cultural figures from around the world, it provides an open platform for academic exchange, mutual learning and cooperation among civilizations. Together, these events connect Qufu’s ancient heritage with contemporary conversations on culture, education and humanity’s shared future.