A number of contestants in the 11th Zhejiang Adolescent Calligraphy & Painting Competition were recently invited by the competition's organizers to attend a two-day camp at Confucius Temple in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province.

The organizers included the Zhejiang Artists Association, the Zhejiang Calligraphers Association, the Zhejiang Academy of Painting, and West Lake Museum.

During the two days, the students, who were accompanied by their parents, learned about Confucianist etiquette and rituals, ancient methods on manufacturing stationery, as well as art appreciation of traditional Chinese paintings.

Confucius Temple in Hangzhou, which dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), has been a sanctuary to worship China's greatest ancient philosopher Confucius, as well as the campus for a government-sponsored academy before the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Students dressed in hanfu (traditional Chinese apparel) follow a teacher's instruction to perform Confucianist customs at Confucius Temple in Hangzhou. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Students attend a Confucianist ritual at Confucius Temple in Hangzhou. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

A student's forehead is painted with cinnabar, a Confucianist ritual usually performed at the school opening ceremony in ancient times, symbolizing the start of intellectual enlightenment. [Photo/Chinanews.com]