Visitors participate in a ritual experience activity to pay homage to Confucius. [Photo/Tide News]

At the Family Temple of Confucius in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, visitors participate in a ritual to pay homage to Confucius (551–479 BC), the great Chinese educator, philosopher, and thinker.

Located in Quzhou's Kecheng district, the temple offers a serene environment where visitors can immerse themselves in Quzhou's rich Confucian culture and receive mini-books of The Analects of Confucius.

The temple's history dates back to the early Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), when Kong Duanyou (1078–1132), the eldest member of Confucius' 48th-generation descendants, followed Emperor Gaozong south and settled in Quzhou. Established in 1255, it is second only to the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong province, in significance.

Dubbed the "Home of Southern Confucianism", Quzhou has become the second-biggest center for the descendants of Confucius.

Since 2004, Quzhou has hosted annual commemorative ceremonies for Confucius that adopt a contemporary approach.

In April 2024, Zhejiang launched a cultural revitalization project to enhance the cultural identity of Southern Confucianism. Quzhou's efforts included temple renovations, environmental improvements, and enhanced cultural presentations.

The local government reported that these enhancements, along with cultural products such as scarves and themed souvenirs, have significantly increased the temple's appeal.

As of November this year, the temple had recorded approximately 550,000 visits, up by 110,000 from the previous year.