Ancient Academy – Ruxue Li Academy

Ancient Academy – Ruxue Li Academy

Ruxue Li, also known as the "Confucius Temple" or "Academy," is located on the current site of the Leping Municipal Party Committee compound. During the Tang Dynasty, a temple was built here (formerly known as Changlefang). In the first month of the fifth year of the Xining era in the Northern Song Dynasty (1072), Magistrate Fan E erected an academy atop the temple. Over the dynasties, it was burned down multiple times due to warfare but also restored many times.

In the eighth year of the Shunzhi era during the Qing Dynasty (1651), Magistrate Wang Deming renovated the Dacheng Hall. In the ninth year of the same period, he constructed the Jimen (Pole Gate), Minghuan Shrine, Xiang Shrine, and Lingxing Gate. In the tenth year, Magistrate Suo Jingzao built the Qisheng Shrine. In the tenth year of the Kangxi era (1671), Magistrate Wang Daolong constructed the Minglun Hall, side rooms, academic corridors, surrounding walls, and renovated the Dacheng Hall, Qisheng Shrine, and Minghuan/Xiang Shrines. In the 23rd year (1684), the imperial plaque inscribed with “Model Teacher for All Ages” was hung in the Dacheng Hall. In the 25th year, the imperial-commissioned texts “Praise of the Supreme Sage” and “Praise of the Four Accompanying Sages” were engraved on stone slabs according to the original text and hung in the Dacheng Hall. In the first year of the Yongzheng era (1723), an imperial decree conferred the title of duke to five generations of Confucius’ lineage, and the Qigong Shrine was renamed Chongsheng Shrine. In the fourth year of the same period, the imperial plaque inscribed with “Since the Beginning of Humanity” was hung in the Dacheng Hall, and the “Stone Tablet Commemorating the Pacification of Qinghai and Completion of the Imperial College” was engraved onto the stone walls of Ruxue Li.

Ruxue Li, having endured historical vicissitudes through periods of prosperity, reconstruction, and decline, reached its peak by the first year of the Qianlong era in the Qing Dynasty (1736). By then, it had formed a distinguished architectural complex consisting of the Dacheng Hall, Chongsheng Shrine, Wenchang Pavilion, Zunjing Pavilion, Kuixing Pavilion, Xiangsheng Shrine, Minghuan Shrine, Jimen, Lingxing Gate, and Qisheng Shrine—unprecedented in fame. All subsequently issued imperial plaques and inscriptions were hung or engraved within Ruxue Li. This marked its heyday. By the Daoguang era, it gradually declined and was never restored again. In 1921, the site housed Wenchangmen Primary School. In 1928, the Dacheng Hall was demolished to build new structures, and Leping County Junior High School was established. In the early years after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it served as a training class for the county Party committee. After 1957, the old buildings were gradually demolished and rebuilt as the Office of the Leping County Committee. Currently, remnants include the original palace-style coiled dragon platform and stone steps in front of the former “Dacheng Hall,” surrounding carved stone railings, and a pair of stone lions.