Ming City Wall of Qufu
明故城
An old town enclosed by Ming-era walls built to protect the Confucius Temple. The morning bell ceremony at the South Gate, under the gate plaque reading Wanren Gongqiang (The Wall of Ten Thousand Ren), marks the start of each day in Qufu.
Qufu Ming City was built around 1513 during the Zhengde reign of the Ming dynasty, as a city designed to move the walls around the temple in order to protect the Confucius Temple and Kong Mansion. Its wall circumference is about 5 km. In the 2000s the walls and gate towers were rebuilt to their original appearance, and the lanes inside keep the Ming and Qing layout. The Three Confucian Sites, the Drum Tower, Queli Street, and Wuma Ci Street are all inside the walls. The highlight is the South Gate, the gate directly in front of the Confucius Temple. Its plaque, Wanren Gongqiang, was written by the Qianlong Emperor. It draws on the Analects story in which Zigong praised Confucius by saying the Master's wall is only a few ren high, and it is the most iconic view in Qufu. Every morning at 8:00 there is a Morning Bell Opens the City ceremony at this gate. Attendants in period costume beat drums, ring bells, and open the gates to welcome visitors. It lasts about 15 minutes, is free to watch, and is a must-see opening for study groups and tourists. In the evening there is an Evening Drum Closes the City ceremony. The walls can be climbed, with some sections charging about 10 yuan. Walking to the southeast corner of the walls gives views over the yellow-tiled roofs of the Confucius Temple and the whole city. Inside the walls, the Drum Tower, Queli Street (a street known for Kong Family cuisine and souvenirs), and the night views along the moat are also worth exploring. Travel tips: arrive at the South Gate before 7:50 to see the opening ceremony, then enter the Confucius Temple directly through the South Gate, which is the classic opening to a visit to Qufu. In the evening, watch the gate tower lights and their reflection on the moat from the square outside the South Gate. Entry to the city is free, though climbing the gate tower is charged. Getting there: take bus K01 from Qufu East Station to the Confucius Temple South Gate stop. A taxi anywhere in the city costs no more than 10 yuan. Note that the opening ceremony draws crowds, so the best viewing spot is near the front of the square directly in front of the gate. Most streets inside the walls are pedestrian-only, so cars cannot easily enter.
Opening hours
All day (city gates open at 08:00 with the morning bell; tower climb approx. 08:00–17:30)
Nearby sights
- Temple of Confucius
- Kong Family Mansion
- Gulou Street & Wumaci Street
- Temple of Yan Hui
- Confucius Six Arts City
- Temple of the Duke of Zhou
- Cemetery of Confucius (Kong Lin)
- Qufu Lu State Ancient City Site