Getting There
The nearest major airport is in Ji'nan, 150km (90 miles) away. The train situation is a little confusing, as there are two railway stations: Qufu Zhan, about 5km (3 miles) southeast of the city center, where several trains a day stop between Beijing and Rizhao and between Ji'nan and Rizhao. The K51 from Beijing (9 hr.) arrives in Qufu at 7am, while the return K52 departs Qufu at 9:27pm. Bus no. 5 runs from the railway station into town, though service is infrequent. Yanzhou Zhan (tel. 0537/341-5239), 15km (9 miles) west of Qufu, sits on the Beijing-Shanghai rail line and sees much more traffic. From Yanzhou are daily connections to Tai'an (1 hr.), Ji'nan (2 hr.), Beijing (5 hr.), and Shanghai (10 hr.). There are a limited number of assigned berths on trains serving both stations, so be sure to book your ongoing ticket as soon as you reach town. To avoid the hassle of running back and forth between Yanzhou and Qufu, use a ticketing agency like the Qufu Shoupiao Chu in the north Da Cheng Lu (Huadeng Jie) (tel. 0537/335-2276). They have the only computer booking system in Qufu. The staff here is friendly and helpful.
From the Qufu Qiche Zhan (tel. 0537/441-1241), located 1 long block south of the Temple of Confucius at the corner of Shendao Lu and Jingxuan Dong Lu, buses run to Ji'nan (every 30 min. 6:45am-6pm; 2 1/2-3 hr.; ¥43), Tai'an (every 30 min. 6:30am-6:30pm; 1 hr. 10 min.; ¥19), Weifang (8:20am, 9:30am and 1:30pm; 4 hr.; ¥75), and Qingdao (8:30am, 1:30pm and 4:30pm; 7 hr.; ¥125). The several daily sleeper buses to Beijing daily are often booked (8am, 11:20am, and 3pm, ¥130). Minibuses run to the railway station at Yanzhou (every 10 min. 6am-7pm; 25 min.; ¥5). The taxi to Yanzhou Zhan from town costs ¥30 and takes 20 minutes.
Getting Around
It is possible to tour temple, mansion, and cemetery on foot, though hiring a pedicab or horse-drawn taxi to the cemetery is an inexpensive option. Unmetered miandi (minivan) taxis cost ¥5 per 2km (1 1/4 miles). Around town, horse-drawn carriages cost ¥2 to ¥4 per person, while a tricycle taxi costs ¥1 to ¥3 per person. You can hire a tricycle taxi for 1 day for ¥20 to ¥30, but make sure you agree on the price and what attractions you want to see before starting the ride. The infrequent bus no. 1 runs from the southwest of town past the bus station all the way up Gu Lou Jie to the Confucian Forest. Bus no. 2 travels an east-west route along Jingxuan Jie.
Visitor Information
The Qufu Tourist Information Center at Gu Lou Bei Jie 4 (tel. 0537/441-4789; Mon-Fri 8:30am-noon and 2-6pm) can provide information and direct travelers to sights and accommodations.
Fast Facts
Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs -- The Bank of China is at Dongmen Dajie 96 just east of Gu Lou Bei Jie. Foreign-exchange hours are Monday to Friday from 8am to noon and 2 to 6pm.
Internet Access -- If you have your own laptop, free Internet access is available at most hotels around town. Otherwise, access is pretty limited. Just east of Gou Lou Nan Jie is Xingji Wangba, a large Internet bar with decent connections for ¥5 per hour. To get there, head east along the nightmarket street Wumaci Jie and take your first right down the small alley. The Internet bar is about 150m (492 ft.) in on your right.
Post Office -- Located north of the Drum Tower at Gu Lou Bei Jie 8-1, the post office is open from 8am to 6pm.
Visa Extensions -- The PSB (Shi Gonganju) is at Wuyuntan Lu 1 (tel. 0537/296-0153; Mon-Fri 9-11:30am and 2-4pm). Take a taxi or bus no. 3 from the Kongfu Fandian (Kongfu Hotel) at the corner of Datong Lu and Jingxuan Lu, and ask to be let off at Wuyuntan.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
