Of the travel itinerary for my first trip into China, the highlight was to pay my respects to the great humanistic philosopher and sage Confucius.

From the non-religious and man-orientated ideas he spoke, Confucius is firmly etched into the last 2500 years of Chinese history.

Applauding his call to reason, sincerity and self-cultivation, but disagreeing with his altruism, he remains the cornerstone for my admiration and love of China and Chinese civilization.

Pictured here is his tomb in Qufu, China.