Envisioned and developed as a premier cultural tourism district and resort area, Luyuan Village spans a substantial 370,000 square meters, demonstrating the scale and ambition of this undertaking.
The core objective of Nishan Luyuan Village is to vigorously promote Confucianism and offer visitors a comprehensive and immersive cultural experience. This is achieved through a carefully curated blend of architectural attractions that evoke traditional Chinese aesthetics and resonate with the Confucian era, alongside a rich program of cultural performances designed to bring the teachings, arts, and traditions associated with Confucius to life.
This is where my journey started, in the place where Confucius was born more than 2,500 years ago. As I explored the place, I began to see how his teachingsâ€"about respect, family, and learning, are still influencing people today, even as far away as Rwanda.
Just across from Luyuan Village lies Mount Ni, also known as Nishan. This mountain holds deep cultural significance as it is traditionally considered the birthplace of Confucius.
According to historical records, Confucius's parents prayed at Mount Ni for a child, and shortly thereafter, his mother gave birth to him.
Mount Ni is home to several historical sites, including the Confucius Cave, where, according to legend, Confucius was born. The area also features ancient temples and academies dedicated to Confucian teachings.
From there, I visited Nishan Sacred Land, a large cultural park built to celebrate Confucius' life and ideas. The University Hall stood tall and quiet, while the Hall of Benevolence, a space for reflecting on Confucian virtues, shimmered with golden phoenixes on the ceilingâ€"symbols of virtue and renewal.
I walked through a hallway filled with clay statues of Confucius' students. Each had a story: Yan Hui, who found joy in simple things; Min Sun, who deeply respected his parents; and Zizhang, known for honesty and self-control.
In the Hall of New Learning, an educational and interactive exhibition space within Nishan Sacred Land, I discovered the 'Six Arts' that young people in Confucius' time were taught: music, writing, archery, charioteering, math, and rituals. These weren't just skillsâ€"they were lessons in living with balance and self-discipline.
As I stood there, I remembered conversations I'd had back in Kigali with Rwandan students learning Chinese. Some of them speak about Confucian values like respect, hard work, and humility the same way these ancient students might have.
The Confucius Institute in Rwanda opened in 2009. At first, only a few students signed upâ€"many thought learning Chinese was too difficult. But over time, interest grew. Today, nearly 20,000 Rwandans have learned Chinese through the Institute. For them, it's not just about the languageâ€"it's also about building bridges between cultures and learning values they can apply in their own lives.
Later in my trip, I went to Qufu, the hometown of Confucius. There, I visited the Confucius Temple, a peaceful place with red pillars and a golden roof. Under the shade of old trees, I listened to stories about ancient ceremonies and how they were meant to teach gratitude and social harmonyâ€"not just to honor the past.
Nearby, I toured the Kong Family Mansion, where Confucius' descendants lived for centuries. Inside, I saw how his teachings helped guide not just personal behavior, but even the laws of emperors and the running of governments.
Back in Kigali, celebrations for United Nations Chinese Language Day echoed this cultural exchange. This year's theme, 'Chinese Language: A Gift Across Time and Space,' was a reminder of just how far this ancient language has traveled and how deeply it's being embraced in places like Rwanda.
Zeng Guangyu, director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Rwanda, recently told Xinhua that Chinese language skills have opened doors for Rwandan learners, enabling them to secure jobs, win scholarships, study in China, and even start businesses.
I realized that Confucius' legacy is not confined to stone monuments or ancient texts. It's alive in classrooms, in conversations, and in the dreams of young people who are using language not just to speak, but to connect, to grow, and also to build a future across cultures.
Mugisha Christian
