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Taishan, more than 345 miles in circumference, rises steeply and majestically in the middle of Shandong Province about 45 miles from Jinan. Massive and awesome, it has featured in many historic events throughout the ages...
| Tiankuang (Celestial Gift) Hall |
the main hall of the Dai Temple, consists of nine rooms with double eaves, eight cornices and yellow glazed tile roofs. The frescoes (10 ft. high and 170 ft. long) of life-like figures, covering the east, west, and north walls are rare, outstanding works of art.
Half a mile to the northeast of Doumu Palace is a huge wall of rock (one 15th of a hectare) bearing an engraving of the Diamond Sutra. Each character is more than a foot high. The forceful calligraphy of this ancient inscription is regarded as the prototype of the bank (placard) style.
| Nantianmen (South Celestial) Gate |
This is opposite the Beitianmen Gate (the Northern Celestial Gate) and can be reached by a steep, winding staircase. At the top is Mokong (Touching the Sky) tower with a stone table bearing an inscription by Du Renjie, a Yuan Dynasty poet.
Arriving in Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, the first thing coming into sight is the spacious temple of Confucius, which dominates the town.
Confucius is the world-renowned Chinese philosopher born in Qufu more than 3,500 years ago. His influence on Chinese society culture lasts until the present day. Qufu has recently been restored to its former glory. It has become a tourist attraction rivaling the Great Wall.
In size and scale, the Confucius Temple ranks second only to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Construction of the Temple began in 478 B.C., the year after Confucius's death. It was rebuilt many times throughout the ensuing 3,000 years.
The Temple grounds cover an area of 33 hectares with buildings laid out symmetrically along a 0.6-mile north-south axis. There are 53 magnificent gateways and numerous halls, pavilions and shrines elaborately roofed with glazed tiles.
Other Attractions in Jinnan
