The philosophy of Confucius, who lived in Qufu from 551 BC to 479 BC, has profoundly influenced the politics, values and ethics of China and parts of Asia over the past 2,556 years. In 1995, the Confucian Temple was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage. In 2004, more than 3 million tourists from China and other countries visited Qufu.

Three tourists (Front) from South Korea visit the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, east China's Shandong Province Sept. 26, 2005. The Qufu International Confucius Cultural Festival opened here on Monday.

A foreign tourist takes a close look at some ancient Chinese musical instruments displayed in the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, east China's Shandong Province Sept. 26, 2005. A grand ceremony was held on Monday to commemorate the 2,556th birthday of Confucius, a great ancient Chinese thinker, which falls on Sept. 28. Various activities such as forums on Confucianism, exhibitions, trade fairs and gala performances will be staged.

Foreign tourists take a close look at the epigraph in the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, east China's Shandong Province Sept. 26, 2005.

Tourists visit the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, east China's Shandong Province Sept. 26, 2005.

People visit the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, east China's Shandong Province Sept. 26, 2005.