Studying the Classics, Practicing Culture: A Record of the 2021 Guangtong Group Employee Study Tour to Qufu

Study the classics Putting Culture into Practice

                                Remember 2021 Guangtong Group Employee Study Tour to Qufu

In the golden autumn of October, the weather is crisp and clear. In line with the Group’s current initiative to promote reading and learning, Activity In keeping with this, this year's The “Fun Sports Day” has been rebranded as the “Qufu Study Tour.” Amid widespread anticipation, the two-day study tour was held as scheduled from October 14 to 15.

On the morning of October 14, more than a hundred spirited employees of Guangtong lined up in neat formation, all dressed in uniforms uniformly provided by the group, their faces beaming with cheerful smiles. Representatives from each unit conducted a headcount of the participants, and Xu Fuwei, Chairman of the Trade Union, outlined the event schedule and relevant precautions, placing particular emphasis on travel safety.

As passengers boarded the vehicle in an orderly manner, everyone headed toward their destination. —Departing from Qufu. During the journey, the tour bus drivers of each vehicle organized group recitation sessions and a screening of the film “Confucius” for the tour group.

First Stop —Nishan Sacred Realm. All participants posed for a group photo in front of the world’s tallest bronze statue of Confucius, after which they collectively recited Guangtong’s mission, core values, and the “Six Principles of Self-Improvement,” followed by a collective reading of “The Practice of the Six Principles of Self-Improvement.” The sight of more than a hundred people reciting in unison drew numerous tourists, who eagerly pulled out their phones and cameras to capture this grand scene of Guangtong employees “before” the Sage Confucius. The picturesque mountains and serene lakes, with ripples gently lapping at the shore, accompanied by the clear, resonant voices of recitation—this was the finest “gift” we could offer to Confucius.

Afterward, everyone completed it under the guidance of the traditional Chinese studies teacher. During the tour of the “University Hall,” its opulent, gilded interiors left visitors awestruck; at one point, everyone gathered around the writing desks to try their hand at calligraphy just as the ancients did.

Second Stop —The sacred “Three Confucian Sites.” After a night of autumn rain, the morning dawned clear and crisp, brimming with the rich essence of fall. The entire group gathered before the Confucius Temple to begin the second day’s collective recitation of “Six Principles of Practical Application.” Passersby paused, listening intently; in that moment, it felt as though… time The light abruptly ceased, leaving only the clear, resonant sound of reading softly flowing and pervading the air above the Confucius Temple.

Upon completion of the recitation, everyone, led by the tour guide, proceeded to visit the Confucius Temple, the Confucius Mansion, and the Cemetery of Confucius in turn. During the tour, at the Confucius Temple, we were fortunate to witness a performance that seamlessly integrates music, song, dance, and ritual. The “Great Confucius Sacrifice Ceremony” event. After concluding the tour of the “Three Confucian Sites,” rain began to fall, and everyone returned home after lunch.

“Favorable timing, advantageous terrain, and harmonious relationships”—all returned home brimming with joy and fulfillment. Although the trip was brief, it provided ample opportunity for everyone to strengthen bonds, share insights, and gain a firsthand appreciation of the profound cultural heritage of Confucian thought. By revisiting the classics of traditional Chinese learning, we aligned our experience with the Group’s commitment to reading and lifelong learning, thereby enhancing employees’ sense of unity and cohesion. As Guangtong employees, we must remain steadfast in our dedication to reading and continuous learning, placing both study and work on an equal footing. Together, united in purpose and driven by hard work, we will create a brighter, more promising future for ourselves. (Group Study Committee & Trade Union)

Group photo for keeps

Group Reading

Sightseeing along the way

Department Highlights