Shandong Province is currently basking in the limelight of a tourism boom, fueled by the BBQ craze that has seen foodies from all over the country lining up to indulge in a fusion of protein and pancakes. But hold the skewers! For tourists looking to nurture their minds as well as their rumbling bellies, Qufu city might also be the perfect place for a funfflled long weekend.
Make your way out of the Qufu city train station, and congratulations – you’re now standing in the birthplace of philosopher and teacher Confucius (551-479 BCE). Just 30 kilometers south lies Mount Ni, home to the world’s largest statue of the man himself, a 72-meter brass and steel construction. After a 30-minute car ride to the mountain, though it’s really a hill at only 344 meters high, you are greeted by the impressive statue. When I sent a photo to a friend, she thought the people at the statue’s feet were miniature figures. It’s just that difficult to comprehend its massive size from a photo. And the cherry on top? Since Qufu is a bit of a niche destination, I escaped the usual chaos of hordes of teenagers snapping selfies. No one needs another awkward photo bomb ruining their spiritual journey, right?
There isn’t much shade as you swelter beneath the statue and stroll through the gardens at the base of the mountain. Fortunately, several indoor exhibitions, including the Confucius Hall, offer a welcome escape from the heat, allowing you to cool off while deepening your understanding of Confucianism. The Confucius Hall might be a bit cozier than the Confucius Museum we’ll explore later, but it certainly makes continuous attempts to fill a modest space with eye-catching visuals that will keep you entertained. As you enter, you are greeted by two rows of Confucius statues gazing down at you, accompanied by some of his most famous quotes.
Step into the main hall and it feels like you have discovered a hidden library that is oozing with charm. There’s even a special area for kids (and possibly the young at heart) to practice calligraphy. Naturally, I assumed it was an open invitation for all ages, so instead of clarifying if adults were allowed, I plopped myself down and gave it a whirl.
A few times a day, they host a spectacular show in the main hall with performers in gorgeous outfits and dazzling lights, while visitors sit on the floor to enjoy it. Afterward, I explored the beautiful Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) -inspired exhibition halls, which were surprisingly filled with a wide range of color. Even those with disdain for selfies might find it difficult to resist the allure of this picture-perfect palace.
On the second day of my trip, I ventured into Luyuan Village, which is quite close to Mount Ni. This place had a more commercial vibe compared to day one, although there is still plenty of traditional culture to soak in. However, you can enjoy it while sipping on an iced latte or pearl milk tea.
This charming village is packed with ancient architecture, a stunning river that practically begged me to jump in – it felt like a sauna outside – and a delightful evening show.
This part of my journey was more about reveling in the pleasures of the Ming Dynasty, and what better way to dive in than by renting my very own traditional Hanfu? Now, I usually have a somewhat cynical stance when it comes to wearing traditional Chinese attire, but perhaps it was the sheer grandeur of the Confucius statue that had inspired a sudden “when in Rome” moment.
It was a lovely three-piece outfit in three shades of green that was suprisingly cool considering the blistering heat. After I tried it on, my friend quipped, “isn’t it amazing how much more stylish folks were 400 years ago than we are today?” Honestly, I couldn’t help but agree. There are plenty of rental shops in the village, so feel free to shop around.
After donning my snazzy Hanfu, I treated myself to an ice-cold milkshake and decided to try my hand at an archery range. Archery and calligraphy are two of the “six arts” that Confucius believed were essential for the education of a well-rounded person. I highly recommend seeking out a place to try these skills, as they really help you immerse yourself in the experience.
After a fun-filled session of archery, I worked up quite an appetite, and it was time to feast. I ordered cold noodles and a beef pastry. Now, if you’re a pastry lover, Shandong is your holy grail. From the BBQ pancakes I mentioned earlier to the jianbing (pancakes with a fried egg, cracker and sauce filling) that are a staple of a Shandong breakfast, and now my heavenly beef pastry for dinner – my taste-buds, along with my cholesterol, had reached new heights.
After dinner, I caught the daily public and free performance at Luyuan Village. It’s an awesome group of guys and girls putting on a show right on the lake, with a temple as their backdrop. For 30 minutes, I was treated to a mix of vibrant dances, fireworks and some serious pyrotechnics. I have to admit, while the fireworks were incredible, I felt like I’d been tossed into an oven by the end of it. But it was totally worthwhile.
On the third and final day, I wanted to keep it cool and do something more indoorsy, so I decided to check out the famous Confucius Museum that all the guidebooks recommended. While it might not be as big as the museums in Beijing or Shanghai, it’s packed with stunning artwork, artifacts and calligraphy that date back to the time of Confucius. As someone who has studied some Japanese, I personally found it fascinating to explore how Confucianism has influenced different Asian cultures.
I have to give a quick shoutout to the museum gift shop – it’s definitely worth checking out. I promise I’m not getting any commission here, but they have this adorable fridge magnet inspired by the famous yellow jade horse from the Ming Dynasty. If you decide to visit the museum, make sure you take some time to see the original artifact, and then snag your own as a nice little memento.
As I reflect on my long weekend, I can’t help but feel a renewed passion for diving deeper into a slice of history that has intrigued me since my teenage years.
This cultural holiday truly has it all – stylish attire, delicious cuisine and destinations that feel straight out of a movie. While I wouldn’t stay for a long time, if you are going for a weekend, you can definitely have a great time.
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