A delegation of 37 media agency representatives from SCO countries begin a two-day tour of Shandong province's Qufu, birthplace of Confucius, on Saturday evening. [Photo by Xiang Wenjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

A delegation of 37 media agency representatives from Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries started a two-day tour of Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius (551-479 BC), in Shandong province on Saturday evening.

As a follow-up to the inaugural SCO Media Summit in Beijing a day earlier, the tour was designed to provide opportunities for the media to better explore and understand China through an array of traditional cultural activities. 

Priyanka Tikoo, deputy executive editor of the Press Trust of India, transcribes classical quotes from The Analects, a record of Confucius' ideas and sayings. [Photo by Xiang Wenjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

When speaking about a dinner served in the style of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), Priyanka Tikoo, deputy executive editor of the Press Trust of India, said it was the most fascinating part of the tour's first day.

"This place (Qufu) is really amazing. It's beautiful, but the best part of the experience has been the dinner because it took us back through the history of another culture," she said.

Her view resonated among other attendees.