# Mencius' Hometown (孟子故里)

Qufu, Shandong Province · East China, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/mencius-hometown
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** Free
- **Opening hours:** 08:00-18:00 (all year 2026)
- **Time needed:** 1–2 hours
- **Address:** West side of National Highway G104, Qufu, Jining, Shandong Province
- **Getting there:** Take Bus No. 3 from Qufu Bus Station
- **Good for:** History & Culture, Architecture

## About Mencius' Hometown

The birthplace of Mencius, the “Second Sage,” in Fu Village, Zoucheng City. The site comprises the “Four Mengs” architectural complex: the Temple of Mencius, the Mansion of Mencius, the Forest of Mencius and the Mengmu Forest. Its natural and cultural landscapes complement each other, and it has a quieter charm than the Three Confucian Sites.
Temple of Mencius: Spread across five courtyards from front to back, with more than 60 halls and pavilions. Centred on the main building, the Yasheng Hall, the complex forms a north–south axis. The Yasheng Hall has a double-eaved, nine-ridged roof. Inside, a statue of Mencius sits at the centre, and above the lintel hangs a plaque inscribed by the Yongzheng Emperor reading “Guard the Past, Await the Future.”
Mansion of Mencius: The residence of Mencius's descendants and the hereditary Five Classics Doctors of the Hanlin Academy, also called the “Second Sage's Mansion.” Located west of the Temple of Mencius, separated from it by a road, it has seven courtyards front to back. Its overall layout is grand and dignified, with a refined elegance tinged with a certain majesty.
Forest of Mencius: Also known as the “Second Sage's Forest,” it is the family cemetery for Mencius and his descendants. Its dense, ancient trees make it one of the largest and oldest family cemeteries still existing in China.
Mengmu Forest: The burial ground of Mencius's mother, Lady Zhang, and some members of the Meng clan. Cypress trees cover the hills and slopes, the shade is deep, and burial mounds stretch across the forest. A ceremonial hall stands on the east side.

---
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 1367. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
Site: China Trip (https://cnatrip.com) — independent China travel guide in 13 languages.