Fengcheng Guilin Academy

Fengcheng Guilin Academy

Fengcheng Guilin Academy is a cultural heritage protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

The Guilin Academy was first built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty and was officially completed in the first year of the Zhengtong era (1436 AD). It was established by the retired scholar Xia Zizhe and is located within Dongzhenfang Primary School in Zhenfang Village, Tongtian Township, Fengcheng City, Jiangxi Province. As an outstanding ancient architectural and cultural heritage site, it was designated as a municipal ancient cultural relic site in 1994 and was listed as a key cultural relics protection unit in 1996. Along with Longguang Academy and Longshan Academy, it is known as one of the Three Great Academies of Fengcheng. In its heyday, its collection of books was the largest among all academies in Fengcheng.

The academy features the architectural style of an ancient palace complex. The main building has a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, consisting of two floors—the upper floor serves as a study hall, while the lower floor is the main lecture hall. The entire structure is made of wood. The exterior is adorned with eaves and corridors, and the front corridor along with the left and right corridors are supported by 28 stone pillars. The building covers a construction area of 374.2 square meters and a total site area of over 1,300 square meters. Outside the academy stands a stone memorial archway entrance and surrounding walls. The area is surrounded by fragrant osmanthus trees, lush flowers that remain vibrant throughout the seasons, and the sweet scent of osmanthus in autumn. The main gate is inscribed with the raised characters "Guilin Academy," and on both sides are vertical couplets written in regular script: "The fragrance of osmanthus blossoms mingles with the sound of reading, piercing the moon above the mountains; the verdant peaks inspire poetic thoughts that echo beyond the flowers by the railing." The ancient camphor trees on both sides of the gate are particularly magnificent.

The Guilin Academy was first built during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1403–1424) and was originally named "Guilin Book Tower." The Zhenfang Genealogy of the Xia Clan includes a preface to the "Zhenfang Guilin Book Tower" written in 1424 by Xing Kuan, the top imperial scholar of that year. This preface was commissioned by Xia Ren, a resident of Zhenfang. Xia Ren’s father, Xia Shiming (courtesy name Zizhe), was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations under the Hongwu Emperor. After thirty years of government service, he retired to his hometown. Upon returning, he traveled leisurely through the landscape and, charmed by the beautiful waters and green mountains of Zhenfang with its lush vegetation, relocated his family there. He adopted the self-styled name "Mr. Fuxuan," meaning “to return to one’s original simplicity and dwell beneath the woods.”

The village of Zhenfang still preserves the “Fuxuan Ancestral Hall,” built by later generations in honor of their founding ancestor, Shiming. Deeply understanding the value of education and scholarly pursuit, Fuxuan invested heavily to construct a book tower amidst the “osmanthus-scented trees behind the village.” The tower stored books, hosted lectures by scholars, and encouraged the children of the Xia clan and nearby students to come and study, becoming a renowned hub of learning in its time. “Ascending the steps and entering the tower, you can gaze upon the nearby emerald rivers and Su Causeway hills, or look farther to see Tengwang Pavilion, Wuhua Tower, Nanpu Pavilion, the scenic beauty of the western hills, and the misty waves on the river, with fishermen and boatmen all within sight.” Fuxuan’s philanthropic efforts nurtured countless literary scholars and talented youths. The tradition of valuing literature and education thus continued, becoming a cherished legacy of the Xia clan of Zhenfang (Chao Tang), and making Guilin Academy one of the most prestigious academies in Fengcheng.

During the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, Xia Xueqian (courtesy name Fanggong) expanded and renovated the Guilin Academy, adding structures such as a lecture hall, the Wenchang Pavilion, dining halls, and study rooms. The academy also managed over 200 acres of school fields to provide stipends for teachers and students. The original site covered an area of more than 1,300 square meters. Among the buildings, the Wenchang Pavilion remains well-preserved and served as a venue for lectures by local scholars and jinshi degree holders throughout the dynasties. Historically, notable figures such as Wan Yuedong, a mid-ranking official, Wei Shizhong, a literati and official, the eminent statesman Jiang Yueguang, and Wan Youyan, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in the Qing Dynasty, studied or taught here. In modern times, it was also attended by Xia Zhengnong, a former member of the Central Advisory Commission; Xia Rihui, a revolutionary martyr who sacrificed his life at just 21 years old for the Chinese revolution alongside Zhao Xingnong and Fang Zhimin; and other notable individuals such as the Qing Dynasty jinshi degree holders Jiang Yin dao and Luo Yunye.

Zhenfang Village: Zhenfang Village…… Detailed information about Zhenfang Village++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units