Qufu was the capital of the kingdom of Lu, in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) and is best known as being the hometown of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius. The Dacheng Hall, the main hall of the Temple of Confucius, rises to 81 feet and no building may exceed this height which makes Qufu a pleasantly low-rise city.

The highlight of a visit is the Temple of Confucius and Kong Family Mansion, where the first son and the first grandson of Confucius lived. It covers 39 acres, houses 463 buildings and the eastern part is the family temple. The mansions are of course home to wonderful furnishings, decorations and precious cultural relics, many given by emperors.

The Kong Family Mansion, Cemetery of Confucius and the Temple of Confucius were listed as a World Heritage site in 1994.