Confucius gave lectures at the Xingtan in 522 BC. At the age of 30, Confucius began to establish public education and accept lectures from disciples to help the crumbling temples and change the reality of "ritual collapse and bad music". Confucius' educational thought is people-oriented, and "education has no class": regardless of wealth, dignity, age, nationality and eclecticism.

On this day, Confucius' small courtyard was very lively. Confucius led a group of teenagers to build an altar and moved a small ginkgo tree to plant next to it. Confucius stroked the ginkgo tree and said, "Ginkgo is full of fruits, which symbolizes disciples all over the world. The trunk stands upright and never escapes sideways, symbolizing the integrity of the disciples. Nuts can be eaten and used as medicine to treat diseases, symbolizing that disciples can benefit the country and the people after their studies. Let's name this forum Xingtan! " From then on, Confucius gave lectures at Xingtan every day, and disciples from all directions gathered.

According to legend, Confucius set up a teaching in Xingtan, accepting 3,000 disciples and teaching six arts. Since ancient times, people have thought that speaking is beautiful and praised by scholars. In addition, Xingtan is regarded as a symbol of Confucius education.