The nearest majorairportis in Ji'nan, 150km (90 miles) away. Thetrainsituation 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, there 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 theQufu Shoupiao Chuin 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 theQufu Qiche Zhan(tel.0537/441-1241), located one long block south of the Temple of Confucius at the corner of Shendao Lu and Jingxuan Dong Lu,busesrun to Ji'nan (every 20 min. 5:40am-5:30pm; 2 1/2-3 hr.; ¥21/$2.60), Tai'an (every 30 min. 6:40am-5:30pm; 1 hr., 10 min.; ¥13/$1.60), Weifang (7:40am, 10am, 1:40pm; 4 hr.; ¥38/$4.75), and Qingdao (every hour 7-11am and 7-11pm; 7 hr.; ¥61/$7.60). There are several sleeper buses to Beijing daily, but they are often booked (7:40am, 3pm; 8 hr.; ¥100/$12).Minibusesrun to the railway station at Yanzhou (every 15 min. 6:30am-5:30pm; 25 min.; ¥3/35¢). The taxi toYanzhou Zhanfrom town costs ¥30 ($4) 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. Unmeteredmiandi(minivan)taxiscost ¥5 (60¢) per 2km (1 1/4 miles). Around town,horse-drawn carriagescost ¥2 to ¥4 (25¢-50¢) per person, while atricycle taxicosts ¥1 to ¥3 (15¢-35¢) per person. You can hire a tricycle taxi for one day for ¥20 to ¥30 ($2.50-$3.50), but make sure you agree on the price and what attractions you want to see before starting the ride. The infrequentbusno. 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
TheQufu Tourist Information Centerat Gu Lou Bei Jie 4 (tel.0537/441-4001;open 8am-6:30pm) can provide information and direct travelers to sights and accommodations.
Fast Facts
Banks, Foreign Exchange & ATMs-- TheBank of Chinais at Dongmen Dajie 96 just east of Gu Lou Bei Jie. Foreign-exchange hours are Monday to Friday from 8am to noon and 3 to 6pm.
Internet Access-- Dial-up is tel.169.
Post Office-- Located north of the Drum Tower at Gu Lou Bei Jie 8-1, the post office is open from 8am to 6:30pm.
Visa Extensions-- ThePSB (Shi Gonganju)is at Wuyuntan Lu 1 (tel.0537/296-0153;open Mon-Fri 8am-noon and 2:30-6pm). 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.