Chiping Yangshan Academy

Chiping Yangshan Academy

Chiping Yangshan Academy is a cultural heritage site protected by Shandong Province.

During the late Qing Dynasty, education in Chiping and Boxing counties combined the imperial examination system with modern schooling. In rural areas, there were private schools (sishu), while county towns had county schools, academies, and examination halls. Both counties had county schools dating back to the Song Dynasty, and by the late Qing period, each county had one county school, located in the local Confucian temple (in Boxing, the temple was on the site of the current grain depot).

By the late Qing, Chiping and Boxing counties had a total of three academies: Boling Academy, located within the county town of Boling, with other details lost to history. Yangshan Academy was built in the 20th year of the Qianlong reign (1755), at the site of the former West Street Primary School in present-day Boling. Chishan Academy was established in the 14th year of the Daoguang reign (1834). Both Yangshan Academy and Chishan Academy had examination halls to prepare students for the imperial examinations.

Yangshan Academy has been rebuilt on its original site, restoring its former appearance as a classical-style academy complex. It features a stele corridor displaying stone tablets inscribed by historical and contemporary figures, documenting the scenery, culture, and historical roots of Boling. It serves as a window showcasing both the history of Boling and its contemporary vibrancy. The academy also includes rockeries, ponds, and bridges, forming a classical garden-style cultural courtyard.

Source: Chiping Chronicles Office

Further reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shandong Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units