A group of 26 classical studies scholars visited Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, in Shandong province from Nov 4 to 5 for an immersive Confucian cultural experience.

Classical studies scholars from China and overseas walk towards Dacheng Hall at the Temple of Confucius, to participate in a ceremony to pay homage to Confucius in Qufu, Shandong province, on Nov 5. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Iconic sites like the Temple of Confucius, the Confucius Museum, and the Nishan Sacred Land — featuring intricate designs, traditional performances, and vivid storytelling — left a lasting impression on these experts.

"The exploration of Confucian traditions shows us the relevance of Confucian thoughts in modern contexts," said Andrea Balbo, professor of Latin Language and Literature, Department of Human Studies, University of Turin in Italy.

He also added that the principles of peace and harmony, upheld by Confucius, continue to be vital in the modern world.

The "Exploring China: Impressions of Qilu" event, which was held in Jinan and Qufu, Shandong province, serves as a supporting activity for the first World Conference of Classics, which takes place from Nov 6 to 8 in Beijing.

With the theme "Classical Civilizations and the Modern World", the three-day event aims to provide a platform for researchers on the world's ancient civilizations to exchange ideas.

A foreign expert tours the Confucius Museum in Qufu, Shandong province, on Nov 5. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]