Qufu: Confucius' birthplace and historic home
The concept of a small, walled city existing through historic times in this vast agricultural plain certainly attracted me. It was time to head north up Datong Road. That area is quickly becoming a busy community of small shops and restaurants, quite similar to other parts of China, although such comparisons faded after crossing Jingxuan Middle Road. I had reached Gulou South Street, "Gulou" meaning the Drum Tower. Along with Zhonglou, or Bell Tower, such structures performed important elements within early Chinese urban life. They were timekeepers when people had no clocks or watches. That street was lined with shops, restaurants and cafes at a higher level than Qufu's size would normally warrant, surely a response to its largely seasonal tourist foot traffic.
