Why we suggest this tour itinerary? 

In this itinerary, tourist will visit 2 most important places for the oriental culture in China - Mt.Taishan (or translated as Mt. Tai) and Qufu - the hometown of Confucius (28Sep 551 BC - 11Apr 479 BC). Mt.Taishan is distinguished as the foremost of the "Five Holy Mountains" and "the First Mountain Under Heaven" in ancient China for its majesty and beauty, hence it symbolizes ancient Chinese civilizations and beliefs, while Qufu is the birthplace of Confucius and the very important center of Confucianism. The oldest and biggest Confucius Temple, Confucius later Generations Residence, Confucius and His Familys Cemetery are in the city and all of them are well preserved. (Mt.Taishan, The Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion (Confucius later Generations Residence) have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1994.) In this tour, tourists can enjoy the splendid ancient Chinese building arts, feel the oriental cultural atmosphere and natural scenery, on the other hand. And meanwhile, tourists can know more about the origin of ancient oriental culture - the Confucianism and the Taoism. 

Main Tourist Attractions in the Itinerary:

In Qufu: 

Confucius Temple, Confucius later Generations Residence and Confucius and His Familys Cemetery.  

In Taian:

Getting up to Mt. Taishan.  

Experience in the Itinerary: 

* Walk into the oldest, biggest and most imposing Temple of Confucius in the world in his hometown to enjoy the amazing ancient Chinese wooden palace structures, surpassing exquisite stone carvings and appreciate their relics to know more about the origin of Oriental civilization.  

* To know more about Confucius and Confucianism.  

* Visit the Tombs of Confucius, his son and grandson. 

* Explore the majesty and beauty of holy Mt. Taishan.  

More about Mt.Taishan:  

Mt. Taishan is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located north of the city Taian. The tallest peak is Jade Emperor Peak, which is commonly reported at the height of1545 meters - the highest peak in the east China. It is a challenging to climb up to the Mt. Taishan for more than 1,605 steps. But you can also choose taking the vehicle to the higher point. Then taking the cable car to the peak. 

It is associated with sunrise, birth, and renewal, and is often regarded the foremost of the five holy mountains in China. Mt. Taishan has been a place of worship for at least 3,000 years and served as one of the most important ceremonial centers of China during large portions of this period.  

Note: On the top of Mt. Taishan, the average temperature will be much lower than other places, please bring some warm clothes in case.  

More about Mt.Taishan at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tai 

More about Mt.Taishan at UNESCO website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/437 

More about Confucius Temple: 

Within two years after the death of Confucius (28Sep 551 BC - 11Apr 479 BC), his former house in Qufu was already consecrated as a temple by the Prince of Lu. The original three-room house of Confucius was removed from the temple complex during a rebuilding undertaken in 611 AD. After the devastation by fire in 1499, the temple was finally restored to its present scale. 

The temple complex is the second largest historical building complex in China (after the Forbidden City), it covers an area of 16,000 square metres and has a total of 460 rooms. The main part of the temple consists of 9 courtyards arranged on a central axis, which is oriented in the north-south direction and is 1.3 km in length. The Dacheng Hall (means Great Perfection Hall) is the architectural center of the present day complex. The hall covers an area of 54 by 34 m and stands slightly less than 32 m tall. It is supported by 28 richly decorated pillars, each 6 m high and 0.8 m in diameter and carved in one piece out of local rock. The 10 columns on the front side of the hall are decorated with coiled dragons. It is said that these columns were covered during visits by the emperor in order not to arouse his envy. Dacheng Hall served as the principal place for offering sacrifices to the memory of Confucius.  

More about Confucius Temple at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Confucius,_Qufu 

More about Qufu city at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qufu

More about Confucius Temple at UNESCO website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/704 

Map of Confucius Temple:

More about Cemetery of Confucius:

The Cemetery of Confucius lies to the north of the town of Qufu. The oldest graves found in this location date back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046 B.C.―771 B.C.). The original tomb erected here in memory of Confucius on the bank of the Sishui River had the shape of an axe. In addition, it had a brick platform for sacrifices. The present-day tomb is a cone-shaped hill. Tombs for the descendants of Confucius and additional stela to commemorate him were soon added around Confucius tomb. 

Since Confucius descendants were conferred noble titles and were given imperial princesses as wives, many of the tombs in the cemetery show the status symbols of noblemen. Today, there are about 3,600 tombstones dating from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties still standing in the cemetery. 

More than 10,000 mature trees give the cemetery a forest-like appearance. A road runs from the north gate of Qufu to the exterior gate of the cemetery in a straight line. It is 1266 m in length and lined by cypresses and pine trees.  

More about the Cemetery of Confucius at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cemetery_of_Confucius

More about Confucius:

Confucius (551–479 BC) was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. The name "Confucius" is a Latinized form of the Mandarin Chinese "Kongfuzi" (meaning "Master Kong"). His birth name is Kong Qiu, and addressed respectfully as Kong Zi. He is widely considered as one of the most important and influential individuals in shaping human history. His teaching and philosophy greatly impacted people around the world and remains influential today.

Confucius was born near present-day Qufu. The area was notionally controlled by the kings of Zhou dynasty, but effectively independent under the local lords of Lu. His father Kong He (or Shuliang He) was an elderly commandant of the local Lu garrison. But he died when Confucius was 3 years old, and Confucius was raised by his mother in poverty. His mother would later die at less than 40 years of age. Confucius was educated at schools for commoners, where he studied and learned the Six Arts (Rites (礼), Music (乐), Archery (射), Charioteering (御), Calligraphy (书),  Mathematics (数)).

Confucius was born into the class of shi (士), between the aristocracy and the common people. He is said to have worked in various government jobs during his early 20s, and as a bookkeeper and a caretaker of sheep and horses, using the proceeds to give his mother a proper burial. When his mother died, Confucius (aged 23) is said to have mourned for three years, as was the tradition.

He began a long journey around the principality states of north-east and central China including Wey, Song, Zheng, Cao, Chu, Qi, Chen, and Cai (and a failed attempt to go to Jin). At the courts of these states, he expounded his political beliefs but did not see them implemented.

Confucius returned home to his native Lu when he was 68, after he was invited to do so by Ji Kangzi, the chief minister of Lu. The Analects depict him spending his last years teaching 72 disciples and transmitting the old wisdom via a set of texts called the Five Classics.

Burdened by the loss of both his son and his favorite disciples, he died at the age of 72. He died from natural causes. Confucius was buried in Kong Family Cemetery next to the north of Qufu city. The original tomb erected there in memory of Confucius on the bank of the Sishui River had the shape of an axe. In addition, it has a raised brick platform at the front of the memorial for offerings such as sandalwood incense and fruit.

The philosophy of Confucius, also known as Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. His followers competed successfully with many other schools during the Hundred Schools of Thought era only to be suppressed in favor of the Legalists during the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC). Following the victory of Han (202 BC–AD 220) over Chu after the collapse of Qin, Confuciuss thoughts received official sanction and were further developed into a system known in the West as Neo-Confucianism, and later New Confucianism (Modern Neo-Confucianism).