Yijing Academy

Yijing Academy

Yijing Academy in Bazhou City was originally built in the second year of the Yuanshun era of the Yuan Dynasty (1331 AD) and was converted into a higher elementary school in the 28th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. In early 2006, Bazhou City invested 17.5 million yuan to restore and rebuild Yijing Academy. The academy covers an area of 29.61 mu, with a total floor space of 19,740 square meters, and is composed of an open cultural square, a calligraphy and painting institute, and an exhibition hall.

The cultural square covers an area of 9,600 square meters and features structures such as a memorial archway, a screen wall, a courtyard of interlocking squares, and covered walkways, with the ground paved with marble slabs. The lighting decoration includes lanterns from the late Qing and Republican periods as well as palace garden lanterns, along with a 3D sound system. On the west side are a four-pillar three-story archway with column capitals and a two-pillar spanning archway. The front and back of the screen wall are adorned with reliefs depicting “Millennial Literary Culture” and the “Eight Scenic Spots of Yijing” (including the sunrise over Bazhai, evening ferries on the old dike, willow smoke around the city, lotus blossoms in the Tang Pond, ripples at the East Temple, autumn waves at Yuankou, spring birds at the Salt Pond, and mountain views from Beilou). There are four interlocking square pavilions on the north and south sides of the square, connected by covered walkways. These structures are classical wooden buildings with painted decorations.

The main building of the Calligraphy and Painting Institute covers an area of 1,694 square meters and is designed as a linked quadrangle typical of northern Chinese architecture. It offers spacious rooms, elegant decor, and complete functionality. The entrance hall of the academy has a brick foundation and is constructed entirely from solid wood using antique-style materials. At the center of the courtyard is a miniature replica of the ancient city of Bazhou. The surrounding corridors encircle the area and house more than 20 artistic activity rooms, including the studios of painter Xu Hongbin, calligrapher and painter Han Wenlai, and other art creation spaces.

The Exhibition Hall is located to the north of the Calligraphy and Painting Institute and can be accessed through a side gate on the north side of the square. The hall is a steel structure with a roof and exterior walls finished in imitation antique bricks and tiles. Its internal space covers 1,269 square meters, with an exhibitable area that can reach up to 2,500 square meters.

Transportation Guide

Address: No. 93, Yijing Middle Road, Bazhou City, Hebei Province

Transit: Within Bazhou City, you can take bus routes 2, 5, or others and get off at the Environmental Protection Bureau stop to reach the site.