Major city · China
Qufu曲阜
Give Qufu one full day and one night for the Temple, Mansion and Cemetery; add a second night only if you want Nishan or the Confucius Museum without rushing.
Qufu is a small walled town in southwestern Shandong, about 2 h by bus from Jinan and 30 min by high-speed rail from Tai'an. Three linked sites — the Temple of Confucius, the Kong Family Mansion and the Confucius Cemetery — form a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are all walkable from the old town. Most travellers see it in a day; a night lets you walk the cemetery after the tour groups leave.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, heavy rain), Chinese New Year and Golden Week
- Airports
- JNG · TNA
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Qufu110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Qufu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyQufu is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are summer heat, uneven stone paving in the Cemetery…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckJNG Jining Da'an Airport (About a 30-min drive from central Qufu; domestic flights only (check routes).).
- Getting aroundThe walled old town is about 1.5 km (0.9 mi) across and flat: walk it.The walled old town is about 0.9 mi (1.5 km) across and flat: walk it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or dumpling lunch¥20–45 (≈ US$3–7)
- Beerdraught in a restaurant / can at a shop¥10–25 (≈ US$2–4)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across townMetered; agree before boarding if no meter.¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥1–2 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥50–150 (≈ US$7–25)
- Museum or sight ticketSite admission (Temple, Mansion or Cemetery)¥30–80 (≈ US$5–12) per site (check current prices)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCN¥300 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥450 (≈ US$65) · High CN¥800 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JNG Jining Da'an Airport (About a 30-min drive from central Qufu; domestic flights only (check routes).) · TNA Jinan Yaoqiang International (About 2.5–3 h by road; the usual gateway for international arrivals (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Qufu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
3 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
4 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The walled old town is about 1.5 km across and flat: walk it. City buses run along the east–west street south of the wall and cost ¥1–2; press the stop button or the driver may not stop. Taxis and shared bikes cover the Confucius Cemetery (about 2 km north of the north gate) and Nishan (about 25 km).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tai'an and Mount Tai
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h to the mountain base
High-speed train from Qufu East to Tai'an, about 30 min, then bus or taxi to the trailhead
A long day if you climb; sleep in Tai'an if you want the sunrise.
Jinan
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
High-speed train from Qufu East, about 40–50 min; or bus, about 2 h
Provincial capital; springs and museums fill a day.
Zoucheng (Mencius Temple and Mansion)
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or taxi, about 30 min; buses stop around 18:00Bus or taxi, about 30 min; buses stop around 6:00 PM
Pairs well with Qufu on the same day.
Nishan Holy Land
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min each way
Taxi or private car, about 25 km (16 mi)Taxi or private car, about 16 mi (25 km)
Large modern complex; go only if Confucius is your main reason for the trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Inside the walled old town
Walk to the Temple and Mansion in minutes; quiet at night, few restaurants.
South of the south gate
Visitor centre, most hotels and the K01 bus stop; 10–15 min walk to the Temple.
Near Qufu East railway station
Only for a late arrival or early departure; 10 km (6.2 mi) from the sights.Only for a late arrival or early departure; 6.2 mi (10 km) from the sights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥350–600 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × CN¥300 | CN¥300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥450 | CN¥900 |
| K01 bus, Qufu East station to south gate, one way2 × CN¥1 | CN¥2 |
| Taxi, Yanzhou station to Qufu1 × CN¥40 | CN¥40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥100 | CN¥200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥144 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥793 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,586≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance trains and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Noodle or dumpling lunch | ¥20–45 (≈ US$3–7) |
| Beer: draught in a restaurant / can at a shop | ¥10–25 (≈ US$2–4) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| City bus ride | ¥1–2 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi across townMetered; agree before boarding if no meter. | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥50–150 (≈ US$7–25) |
| Site admission (Temple, Mansion or Cemetery) | ¥30–80 (≈ US$5–12) per site (check current prices) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Foreign visitors can enter the Temple, Mansion and Cemetery free by reciting five or more passages from the Analects in any language; Chinese citizens need 30 — bring the text (check current rules).
- The Cemetery is 2 km² (1 sq mi) with few signs in English: a guide or a map saves an hour.The Cemetery is 1 sq mi (2 km²) with few signs in English: a guide or a map saves an hour.
- Buses from Jinan and Zoucheng stop running around 18:00–19:00; check the last departure or you stay the night.Buses from Jinan and Zoucheng stop running around 6:00 PM–7:00 PM; check the last departure or you stay the night.
- Summer rain is concentrated in July and August, when monthly totals can pass 200 mm.
- English is not widely spoken outside the ticket offices.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Qufu曲阜
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No embassies in Qufu; most countries have embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Shanghai or Qingdao (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Qufu East → south gate, K01 bus: ¥1 (≈ under US$1), about 30–40 min
- Yanzhou station → Qufu, taxi: about ¥40 (≈ US$6)
- High-speed train Qufu East → Jinan: about ¥60–90 (≈ US$9–13), 40–50 min (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshao qián)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)
- 我听不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ tīng bu dǒng)
Show your passport at ticket offices; foreign visitors may qualify for free entry to the three main sites by reciting Analects passages (check current rules).
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Qufu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid, heavy rain), Chinese New Year and Golden Week · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for JNG and TNA: last bus and train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: south gate and visitor centre, Temple and Mansion, north gate to the Cemetery, Xiguan Hui quarter.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Temple, Mansion, Cemetery, Confucius Museum, Nishan) and eat pages with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.