An exhibit featuring more than 130 cultural relics related to Confucius' travels during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) opens on Tuesday at the Confucius Museum in Qufu, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An exhibit featuring more than 130 cultural relics related to Confucius' travels during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) opened on Tuesday at the Confucius Museum in Qufu, Shandong province, the birthplace of the great philosopher.

More than 2,000 years ago, Confucius, accompanied by his disciples, left the State of Lu and embarked on a 14-year odyssey across several states in ancient China. Despite political obstacles and personal hardships, he tirelessly promoted governance based on virtue of ren (benevolence) and li (ritual propriety).

The exhibit presents relics from those very states the philosopher once visited, employing a "route narrative" approach to reconstruct the historical panorama of his travels, said Yang Jinquan, deputy curator of the museum.

"Visitors will be able to experience the challenges Confucius faced and the ideals he championed as they follow the path he walked," Yang said. "The artifacts serve as tangible connections to the places and people that shaped his thoughts."

The exhibition is part of ongoing efforts to reinterpret traditional Chinese culture for contemporary audiences, and will run through Aug 30. It was organized in partnership with the Henan Museum and the Jining Museum.

A jade jue of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A "Prince Wu" ding of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). A ding, or food container, often comes with a spoon. The spoon has a long handle and a sharp tip, and is used for picking meat out of the bowl. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A bronze duo bell inscribed with Yang Zi Bo Shou of the late Spring and Autumn Period. A duo bell is a military musical instrument. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]