Confucian Six Arts City – An Exciting Theme Park

The Rites Hall celebrates Confucius’s lifelong devotion to the “rites” (礼), which encompass political, ethical, and moral standards originating from the Western Zhou Dynasty. These rites are divided into five major categories: Ji (祭): Sacrificial rites; Xiong (凶): Funeral rites; Jun (军): Military rites; Jia (嘉): Rites for capping and weddings; Bin (宾): Guest rites.

The Rites Hall specifically showcases the “Heavenly Son’s Court Ceremony” (天子朝贺礼) and the “Grand Inspection Ceremony” (大阅礼) from the sacrificial and military rites, respectively. Covering an area of 2,500 square meters, the hall is meticulously crafted at a 1:10 scale. Architecturally, it reflects pre-Qin and Han Dynasty styles with its blue bricks and grey tiles. The complex is organized along a central axis, with the front hall and rear bedroom, and left altar and right temple, arranged in a harmonious sequence.

Within the hall, there are 48 pavilions, towers, and halls, along with over 36,000 pieces, including figures, chariots, weapons, flags, gongs, and umbrellas. This setup provides a vivid representation of the grandeur and precision of ancient Chinese ceremonial practices.

Confucius was both a practitioner and theorist of music. He studied the zither under Master Xiang and music theory under Master Hong, and was deeply moved by the Shao music in Qi. The Music Hall in Confucian Six Arts City is divided into three sections: the Banquet Music Palace (燕乐宫), the Multi-functional Hall, and the Six Arts Grand Theater, with a total building area of 5,800 square meters.

The Banquet Music Palace is designed in the style of a royal restaurant from the Ming and Qing Dynasties and can accommodate 300 diners. Here, visitors can enjoy the three major banquets of the Confucius Mansion: the family banquet, wedding banquet, and longevity banquet, along with other local flavors and group meals. The dining experience is enhanced by live performances of classical music and dance, creating a unique and immersive atmosphere.

The Archery Hall focuses on the military and athletic aspect of Confucius’s teachings, known as “she” (射). This hall is inspired by the historical event of Confucius observing villagers practicing archery in the Ju Xiang Garden. Visitors to the Archery Hall can engage in traditional archery, mirroring the practices of ancient times, by drawing bows and shooting arrows from a recreated ancient castle setting.

Beyond traditional archery, the hall offers modern interactive activities such as riding electric carriages equipped with laser guns for forest hunting simulations. Visitors can also participate in various palace games like pot throwing, cave dart throwing, aerial hunting, and alley battles, which provide a range of experiences that combine historical elements with contemporary entertainment. The Archery Hall also boasts the province’s first large-scale underground live ammunition shooting range, allowing guests to test their marksmanship with real firearms, further showcasing their shooting talents.

The Charioteering Hall, or “Yu” (御), emphasizes the knowledge and skills related to driving and controlling chariots, reflecting Confucius’s travels across different states. Covering an area of 4,000 square meters with a height difference of 12 meters, the Charioteering Hall recreates the arduous 14-year journey of Confucius through various kingdoms.

Visitors can embark on a journey back in time by riding a “bullock cart” that follows Confucius’s footsteps from 2,500 years ago. This immersive ride takes them through vividly recreated scenes such as the bustling markets of Lu, the royal gardens of Lu Palace, the markets of Wei, the siege of Kuang City, the fallen leaves of Puhua River, the morning mist of mountain villas, the driven stalls of Chen, the bedchamber of Nanzi, the flooding of the Yellow River, the logging of Song, the treacherous forests, the murders in Puxiang, the chaos in Jin, the mountain floods, the famine in Chen and Cai, and finally, the return to Lu. Each scene presents an intense and dramatic episode from Confucius’s life, offering visitors a profound sense of the hardships and adventures he endured.

The Calligraphy Hall exudes the essence of traditional Chinese culture and spans 2,000 square meters. It is divided into three main sections: the first floor features an exhibition of calligraphy and paintings, the second floor houses sculptures of Confucius’s seventy-two disciples, and the top floor displays a pictorial representation of Confucius’s life.

On the first floor, visitors can admire exquisite calligraphy and paintings that showcase the beauty of Chinese writing and art. The second floor is dedicated to lifelike statues of Confucius’s seventy-two esteemed disciples, offering a glimpse into the master’s influential teaching circle. A notable feature between the first and second floors is the presence of two artificial ginkgo trees, symbolizing the famous apricot grove where Confucius is said to have taught his students.

The top floor is adorned with a large, intricately carved wooden mural of “The Analects” (《论语》), which is the largest of its kind in the world, covering 200 square meters. This mural features forty-one selected passages from “The Analects,” encompassing 999 characters that highlight various aspects of self-cultivation, moral development, governance, and philosophical discourse. This grand display serves as a powerful tribute to Confucius’s enduring legacy.

The Mathematics Hall represents the knowledge of astronomy, calendar systems, and mathematical studies, all of which were integral to Confucius’s teachings. The hall is inspired by Confucius’s emphasis on “shu” (数), which encompasses these disciplines. The Mathematics Hall is a towering structure, standing 23.5 meters high, with a cylindrical base and a massive spherical top.

The sphere, with a diameter of 20 meters and a maximum cross-sectional area of 314 square meters, is composed of a spiral steel mesh framework, adorned with blue tempered glass, creating a visually striking and modern architectural marvel. Visitors ascend through the hall via a seven-level double spiral staircase, symbolizing the complexity and depth of ancient Chinese mathematical knowledge.

One of the most intriguing features of the Mathematics Hall is the mathematical maze, designed based on ancient Bagua (八卦) principles. This labyrinth challenges visitors’ problem-solving skills and requires keen judgment and intelligence to navigate successfully. The maze is an ideal attraction for those looking to test their reasoning abilities and gain a deeper appreciation for the mathematical insights of ancient China.