A stage photo of the musical Nan Kong. [Photo/Tide News]

After a successful 2024 tour, the acclaimed musical Nan Kong based on Southern Confucianism is gearing up for a new round of performances in 2025, according to Tide News on Oct 20.

The musical will expand its reach beyond the Yangtze River Delta region, with performances set for 20 cities across 11 provinces, including Shenyang, Hohhot, Changsha, Wuhan, and Haikou.

From April to September of this year, the musical captivated audiences with 17 performances in 13 cities, drawing over 10,000 people into the world of Southern Confucianism. Its beautiful melodies, engaging storyline, and outstanding performances have made it a national sensation, with an average attendance rate of over 90 percent in each city.

To enhance the tour's cultural effect, organizers have launched promotional activities, including a market at each venue showcasing specialties and intangible cultural heritage crafts of Quzhou. They also offered free travel incentives to local residents, allowing audiences to experience both traditional culture and modern art while exploring the cultural richness of Quzhou.

Since the launch of these activities, nearly 7,000 tourists have visited Quzhou, according to the Quzhou culture, radio, television, and tourism bureau.

Nan Kong is China's first musical centered on Southern Confucian culture. It tells the tale of Kong Zhu (1231-91), the 53rd direct descendant of Confucius, who, following the emperor's decree, relinquishes his title and returns to Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province, dedicating himself to the promotion of Confucian culture.