International students visit the Family Temple of Confucius in Quzhou. [Photo/Sanqu App]

The 2026 "Experience China" cultural exchange event for Chinese Government Scholarship students took place on June 11 and 12 in Quzhou, Zhejiang province.

Hosted by the China Scholarship Council, Zhejiang Normal University, and the Quzhou Southern Confucianism Cultural Development Center, the event aimed to immerse international students in the rich culture of Southern Confucianism.

Quzhou, known as the "Home of Southern Confucianism", has deep roots in Confucian culture, with descendants of Confucius settling in Quzhou over 800 years ago, establishing the city as a center of Confucian thought.

Over the two-day event, around 50 international students visited key cultural sites, including the Family Temple of Confucius in Quzhou, the Chinese Confucianism Museum, Lanke Mountain, the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid, and the Shuitingmen historical and cultural block. They also experienced the traditional craft of making Shaoyongfeng sesame seed cakes, a local delicacy.

Hamisi Likoko from Tanzania said, "In Quzhou, I learned a lot about Confucius and Confucianism. While people universally admire Confucius, they hold diverse philosophical views, such as those of Wang Yangming and Mencius."

Yannick from Cameroon, who previously studied at a Confucius Institute, expressed that he had known Confucius only as a Chinese philosopher. However, participating in traditional rituals, such as the Confucius worship ceremony, has deepened his understanding. He described Quzhou as a beautiful city with rich, charming culture.