Site of the Imperial Academy

Site of the Imperial Academy

The Site of the Imperial Academy is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Imperial Academy was the highest institution for teaching Confucian classics in ancient China. The entire site of the Imperial Academy can be divided into two major parts—eastern and western—with the eastern part alone covering an area of over 30,000 square meters. Large-scale building foundations have also been discovered within the site. By the time of Emperor Zhi of Han, the number of students at the Imperial Academy had reached more than 30,000.

The Eastern Han Imperial Academy was first established in the fifth year of the Jianwu era of Emperor Guangwu of Han (29 AD), serving as the highest institution for teaching Confucian classics in ancient China, which is to say, the national university of that time. Eminent Confucian scholars of the Eastern Han such as Ma Rong, Zheng Xuan, Ban Biao, and Huan Tan all taught at the Imperial Academy. Students had to be either selected by the central government or recommended by local authorities. Notable alumni include Zhang Heng and Wang Chong.

The site of the Imperial Academy is divided into eastern and western parts, with the eastern section alone spanning over 30,000 square meters. Inside the site, large areas of building foundations have been uncovered. The layout of the Imperial Academy was roughly rectangular, longer from north to south than east to west, enclosed by walls on all sides. Within the site, the rammed earth foundations of buildings are neatly and systematically arranged, offering a glimpse of its former scale.

Address: Taixue Village, Dianzhuang Town, Yanshi City, Luoyang

Type: Historical Site

Recommended Visit Duration: 10–20 minutes