Jintai Academy

Jintai Academy

Jintai Academy is a cultural relic protection unit of Beijing.

Destination Introduction

Jintai Academy is located in the western part of Chongwen District, at No. 203 Dongxiaoshi Street, outside Chongwenmen. It was established as an academy in the mid-Qing Dynasty (1750) in the capital city.

The predecessor of Jintai Academy was the private residence of Hong Chengchou, a surrendered Ming general—Hong Manor. In the 39th year of the Kangxi reign (1700), Jingzhao Administrator Qian Jinxi set up charity schools in Wanping and Daxing to educate orphaned and impoverished students. The charity school in Wanping was located at Chang Temple, while the one in Daxing rented space in Hong Manor. Later, the Wanping charity school was merged into Hong Manor and renamed “Shoushan Charity School.” From then on, the once tranquil manor echoed with the sounds of reading, becoming the site of the capital’s charity school.

At the beginning of the Shoushan Charity School, only part of the Hong family estate was rented. Later, Jingzhao Administrator Shi Shilun wanted to purchase vacant land from Hong Manor to expand the charity school into an academy. However, at that time, Hong Chengchou’s grandson, Yi Mian, offered to donate the land for the charity school. Emperor Kangxi, upon reviewing the petition, commended Yi Mian and, in the 41st year of the Kangxi reign (1702), specially bestowed the imperial plaque inscribed with “Guangyu Quncai” (Cultivating Talents Widely). Yi Mian had no choice but to agree. The Shoushan Charity School then added more classrooms and expanded in scale. In the 15th year of the Qianlong reign (1750), it was officially renamed Jintai Academy. During the Qing Dynasty, academies were initially established in provincial capitals, and later also set up in prefectures, sub-prefectures, and counties. Since Jintai Academy was located in the capital, it became nationally renowned.

Jintai Academy was under the administration of the Shuntian Prefecture government. Its students were mainly juren (successful candidates in the provincial examination) and gongsheng (tribute students) from the capital and various provinces preparing for the metropolitan and palace examinations, but local shengyuan (elementary degree holders) from Shuntian could also study there. The heads of the academy were often notable figures. Wang Yuan, a juren of the Kangxi era, and Chen Zhaocang, a jinshi of the Yongzheng era, both served as deans of Jintai Academy. The academy had positions such as dean, academic assistant, and senior student, and employed lecturers. In addition to official courses, there were also monthly lectures (inviting scholars to give regular talks). The main curriculum included practicing eight-legged essays, copying model calligraphy, and occasionally studying the meanings of Confucian classics. On the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, the Jingzhao Administrator often personally supervised exams, rewarding top performers with “gaohuo” (lamp oil fees, symbolizing financial aid for study). When the academy discovered talented individuals, it would immediately recommend them through official channels. This exceptional spirit demonstrated the academy’s clear goal of cultivating and scouting talent for the Qing Dynasty.

In May 1984, it was designated as a municipal-level key cultural relic protection unit.

Location: Western part of Chongwen District

Jintai Academy was renovated in the 22nd year of the Daoguang reign (1842). In the 5th year of the Guangxu reign (1875), due to another round of renovations, a total of 14,631 taels of silver was raised, and the project was completed in the spring of the 7th year of the Guangxu reign (1881), taking two years. The construction included seven Zhu Zi halls, three lecture halls, three main halls, one hanging flower gate, six official halls, one main gate, five southern wing rooms, one eastern gate, twenty east-west examination halls, ten east-west side rooms, as well as a kitchen, toilet, and stable totaling seven rooms. The total came to 64 rooms, plus a screen wall and the surrounding walls of the academy. After the renovation, the academy was greatly improved. A fan-shaped tiled screen wall served as a barrier at the front entrance, and the gate was adorned with exquisitely carved stone lions, presenting a spectacular sight. The central hanging flower gate of the official hall was entirely crafted from wood, inlaid, painted, and decorated, giving it an elegant and solemn appearance. The east-west examination halls were not only spacious and bright but also featured corridors. The new desks and chairs provided better study conditions for the students.

In the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (1905), the imperial examination system was abolished and modern school education was promoted, so the academy was closed and transformed into the Shuntong School. It subsequently underwent several name changes, including the Beijing Public No. 16 Primary School, Dongxiaoshi Primary School, Beiping No. 12 District Central National Primary School, No. 9 District Central Primary School, and Chongwen No. 1 Central Primary School. In 1973, it became Chongwen District Dongxiaoshi Primary School, and in 1983 and 1986, the school buildings were repaired, reconstructed, and expanded twice.

Transportation Information

Nearby bus lines include 6, 35, 36, and tram line 106 (Tian Tan Bei Men Station), or bus line 23 (San Li He Station).

Beijing Chongwen District

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Municipal Cultural Relic Protection Units in Beijing