Yun Gen Academy

Yun Gen Academy

Yun Gen Academy is a cultural heritage site protected by Zhenghe County.

Yun Gen Academy

Yun Gen Academy is situated on Qinglong Mountain in the southern part of Zhenghe County, near the Martyrs' Cemetery, and draws many visitors from Zhenghe and beyond daily. The newly reconstructed academy, seen from a distance, features an imposing and spectacular layout. The architectural complex adopts the Song-style design, embodying Neo-Confucian culture, with an elegant tone, distinctive style, and classic traditional aesthetic. Walking up the stone steps, the first thing you see is the tall, stately memorial archway. The main structures within the academy complex include the Zhu Zi Pavilion, the Sages’ Shrine, the Tian Guang Yun Ying Tower, the Stele Corridor, and a statue of Zhu Xi. The pavilions, corridors, small bridges, and flowing water within the courtyard complement the surrounding green hills and clear waters, enhancing the academy’s majestic presence. Standing atop the Zhu Zi Pavilion at the highest point, with the wind in your face and leaning on the railing, you can enjoy panoramic views of the mountains, rivers, fields, bridges, and buildings… offering a sweeping vista of Xiongcheng’s beautiful scenery. The academy covers a total construction area of 1,460 square meters. Construction began in August 2004, took three years to complete, and was finished in October 2006. Including auxiliary projects such as road construction, the total investment amounted to over 4 million yuan. This marks the seventh relocation and reconstruction of the academy.

Upon entering the academy, the Zhu Zi Pavilion, the Sages’ Shrine, and the Stele Corridor are the most eye-catching features. Currently, the Zhu Zi Pavilion only displays stone relief carvings of Zhu Xi, his father Zhu Song, and his grandfather Zhu Sen. In the future, it will also showcase historical and cultural materials related to Zhu Xi’s family for public viewing and research. The Sages’ Shrine exhibits relief carvings of dozens of renowned historical figures and revolutionary martyrs from Zhenghe County, along with introductions to their life stories. Here, while paying tribute to the ancestors and martyrs, one can’t help but feel deep reverence for them, as well as a strong sense of the depth and richness of Zhenghe’s history and culture. Currently, the Zhu Zi Pavilion and the Sages’ Shrine are not open to the public on a regular basis. The Stele Corridor is also a highlight, where the "Record of the Reconstruction of Yun Gen Academy" inscribed on the steles offers insights into parts of Zhenghe’s history, Zhu Xi’s family background, and how he and his family founded academies in Zhenghe over three generations, inviting scholars to teach and educate the people—pioneering the county’s cultural and educational development. The dozens of poems and essays by notable figures from ancient and modern times inscribed on the steles also shine brilliantly, exuding the fragrance of ink.

The Zhu Xi family across three generations had deep connections with Zhenghe, particularly in terms of cultural and educational development. Due to its remote location, education in Zhenghe was neglected before the Song Dynasty, resulting in a scarcity of talent and lagging culture. In the eighth year of the Song Dynasty's Zhenghe era (1118), Zhu Song (Zhu Xi’s father) was appointed as the magistrate of Zhenghe County and relocated his entire family there. During his tenure and residence in Zhenghe, Zhu Song placed great emphasis on developing education and nurturing talent. He successively established Yun Gen Academy and Xingxi Academy. His son, Zhu Xi, followed in his father’s footsteps, dedicating himself to Confucian classics, spreading culture, and often lecturing at Yun Gen Academy. He propagated the philosophy of Neo-Confucianism, attracting scholars from all directions to Zhenghe to explore the essence of the doctrine. From then on, Zhenghe experienced a cultural renaissance, producing many talented individuals, thus earning the reputation of being the “Land Enlightened by Ancient Sages.” Today, Yun Gen Academy has become a new tourist attraction in Zhenghe County.

Nanmen Community: Nanmen Community is located in the southern part of Zhenghe County, stretching from Nan Daqiao (South Bridge) to the Xin Nanzhuang area. It covers a total area of 0.77 square kilometers. The community is home to 2,486 permanent resident households, with a total population of 7,346. It comprises ten residential groups, has 56 party members, three staff members in the neighborhood committee, and includes 14 jointly managed units. It is a densely populated community that integrates commerce and residential living.

The community houses Fei Feng Shan Park, which offers both leisure and recreational activities, as well as Yun Gen Academy, which stands majestically and promotes the Neo-Confucian philosophy of Zhu Xi. Facilities in the community include a police station, multimedia learning rooms, community health services… Nanmen Community detailed information++