Tang Xilan (right) from Russia greets a local in a traditional Chinese manner in Quzhou. [Photo/wap.qz123.com]

Tang Xilan, a young lady from Russia, under the guidance of Kong Lingli -- from the 76th generation of Confucius' descendants -- listened recently to stories about the great philosopher's family bloodline in Quzhou city in East China's Zhejiang province.

She listened in reverence, absorbing the unique charms of Confucian thought and culture, according to reports in the local media on Feb 7.

"I have been in China for seven years and have visited many cities since then. This is my first visit to  Quzhou and the first impression it made on me was its historic and cultural characteristics," she said.

The Russian is a graduate student at the Art and Design Department of Zhejiang Sci-Tech University. She is also a young poet and uploads her works on such platforms as Chinese online video-sharing platform Bilibili.

"Today I felt traditional Chinese culture and etiquette in the Temple of Southern Confucianism, which will be helpful for my future poetry," she said.

"This year, because of the novel coronarivus epidemic, I decided to stay put in China for the Spring Festival. I came to Quzhou to feel the flavor of the New Year in advance."

Quzhou, dubbed the Home of Southern Confucianism and a noted historical and cultural city of  national importance, has enjoyed a history of Confucian culture of more than 800 years.

In the year of 1128, Kong Duanyou, an officially recognized direct descendant from the 48th generation of the Confucian family, moved most of his family members -- along with Southern Song Dynasty Emperor Gaozong (420-479) -- from Qufu, known as the hometown of Confucius, to flee from the invading Jin army.

They headed south, before finally resettling in Quzhou.