Shangrao Ziyang Park

Shangrao Ziyang Park

Ziyang Park is located in the northeastern part of Xinzhou District, Shangrao City, bordered by Jiyang Road to the east, Chasheng Road to the south, a planned road to the west, and Fenghuang Avenue to the north, covering an area of approximately 8.78 hectares. It is named after Zhu Xi, a renowned philosopher and educator of the Southern Song Dynasty from Wuyuan County, who was also known by the courtesy name Ziyang.

With the goals of following natural ecology and promoting the culture of Zhu Xi, Ziyang Park is designed as a green ecological park that integrates historical and cultural education with leisure and entertainment for residents. While preserving the original ecological features, the park's construction follows the natural terrain to form a landscape framework of "seven hills embracing two islands." The functional spaces include the main entrance plaza area, children's play area, water activity area, mountain adventure area, and historical and cultural exhibition area.

Zhu Xi (1130–1200), courtesy name Yuanhui, also known as Zhonghui, with the pseudonyms Hui’an, Huìwēng, Kaoting Xiansheng, Yungu Laoren, Cangzhou Bingsou, and Niweng, was a Han Chinese from Wuyuan, Huizhou (now Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province) during the Southern Song Dynasty. He passed the imperial examination at the age of 19, served as the Pacification Commissioner of Jingnan Circuit, and rose to the position of Attendant of the Baowen Pavilion. During his political career, he enforced decrees, punished corrupt officials, and achieved remarkable governance results. A celebrated Neo-Confucian scholar, thinker, philosopher, educator, and poet of the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhu Xi was a leading figure of the Min School and is commonly referred to as Master Zhu. He is regarded as one of the most outstanding promoters of Confucianism since Confucius and Mencius.

Statues of Zhu Xi (left) and Lu Jiuyuan (right) in the park. Lu Jiuyuan (1139–1192), courtesy name Zijing, with the pseudonym Xiangshan, was a renowned philosopher and educator of the Southern Song Dynasty. A Han Chinese from Jinxi, Fuzhou (now in Jiangxi Province), he was as famous as the Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi of his time, and the two were historically referred to as “Zhu-Lu.” Lu Jiuyuan is the founder of China’s “School of Mind.”

In April 1145, Lu Jiuyuan and Zhu Xi met at the Ehu Temple in Yanshan to discuss academic methods and attitudes. Zhu Xi advocated an objective idealist viewpoint, arguing that one should gain inner knowledge through extensive reading and observation of external phenomena. Lu Jiuyuan held a subjective idealist view, asserting that one should “first illuminate the original mind before engaging in broad learning,” claiming that “the mind is the principle,” and thus no excessive effort was needed in studying texts or seeking truth. They composed poems and debated, with Lu accusing Zhu of being “fragmented” and Zhu mocking Lu for promoting “Zen Buddhism.” The two schools of thought remained deadlocked in their academic disagreement. This historical event is known among scholars as the “Meeting at Ehu” or the “Great Debate at Ehu.”

Ziyang Park, located at the intersection of Sanqingshan Avenue and Fenghuang Middle Avenue in Xinzhou District, Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province