Songyang Academy

Songyang Academy

Songyang Academy is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Songyang Academy is located at the southern foot of Mount Song in Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou, Henan Province. It was established in the eighth year of the Taihe era (484 AD) during the Northern Wei Dynasty under Emperor Xiaowen, originally named Songyang Temple. It was renamed Songyang Guan (Observatory) during the Tang Dynasty and transformed into Taishi Academy during the Zhou Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period. The brothers Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi, founders of the "Lu School" of Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty, both lectured at Songyang Academy. Since then, Songyang Academy became one of the birthplaces of Song Dynasty Neo-Confucianism. The academy was destroyed during the late Ming Dynasty due to war but was rebuilt during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. Through multiple expansions and renovations over the dynasties, Songyang Academy gradually took shape in scale and layout, becoming increasingly refined and orderly. The architecture of the academy is simple, elegant, and dignified. Together with Suiyang Academy (also known as Yingtian Academy) in Shangqiu, Henan, Yuelu Academy in Hunan, and Bailudong Academy in Jiangxi, Songyang Academy is recognized as one of China’s Four Great Academies.

The environment of Songyang Academy is exceptionally serene, making it an ideal place for study. The architectural layout within the academy retains the style from before the Qing Dynasty, with over 500 existing halls, corridors, and rooms arranged across five courtyards. The first is the Hall of the First Teachers, dedicated to revered masters and sages associated with the academy. This is followed by the Lecture Hall, then the Hall of the Orthodox Tradition, and finally the Library Tower. The side rooms were originally used as the "Cheng-Zhu Shrine," study rooms, and classrooms. The walls of the corridors are inlaid with inscriptions and calligraphy left by literati and scholars throughout history, each piece showcasing unique styles. The western courtyard features some of the teaching and examination buildings from the Qing Dynasty. Throughout its history, Songyang Academy also maintained school fields to support its operations.

Songyang Academy is one of China’s ancient higher learning institutions. Along with Yingtian Academy in Shangqiu, Henan, Yuelu Academy in Hunan, and Bailudong Academy in Jiangxi, it is known as one of China’s Four Great Ancient Academies. It is also a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Located at the southern foot of Mount Song in Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, at the base of Mount Taishi, Songyang Academy derives its name from its position on the sunny side of Mount Song. Surrounded by peaks, with streams flowing endlessly, towering pines and cypresses, and a tranquil, elegant atmosphere, Emperor Qianlong once wrote the verse: “The scenery of Songyang Academy is the clearest among all; the stone pagoda still bears the inscription of the imperial palace.” Throughout Chinese history, Songyang Academy has been renowned for its contributions to Neo-Confucianism, its rich cultural heritage, and its unique historical relics.

Historical Development

Historically, Songyang Academy served as a site for Buddhism and Taoism, but it is most famously known as a sacred Confucian educational institution. Initially built in the eighth year of the Taihe era (484 AD) during the Northern Wei Dynasty under Emperor Xiaowen, it was first named Songyang Temple, serving as a Buddhist site with hundreds of monks. During the Daye era (605–618 AD) of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, it was renamed Songyang Guan, functioning as a Taoist site. In 1035 AD, during the Jingyou era of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, it was named Songyang Academy and continued to serve as an educational institution where renowned scholars taught classical texts. The academy was destroyed by fire in the late Ming Dynasty but was rebuilt and expanded during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. At its peak, it had over 1,750 acres of school fields, hundreds of students, and a collection of more than 2,000 books. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, with the abolition of the imperial examination system and the establishment of modern schools, the thousand-year-old tradition of academy education came to an end. However, as a shining jewel in the history of ancient Chinese education, Songyang Academy remains forever recorded in history.

Historical Background

Academies were a unique form of educational organization in China’s feudal society, holding an important and distinctive position in the history of ancient Chinese education with significant influence. From the Later Tang of the Five Dynasties to the end of the Qing Dynasty, Songyang Academy maintained a nearly thousand-year history of teaching and stands out among academies, playing a vital educational role in spreading Chinese culture and nurturing talent.

In the early Song Dynasty, peace prevailed across the nation, and literary scholarship flourished. After the turmoil of the Five Dynasties, Confucian scholars favored gathering in quiet mountainous areas to teach. Dengfeng was a place where ancient rulers such as Yao, Shun, Yu, and the Duke of Zhou once resided. Historical records indicate that 24 notable figures, including Fan Zhongyan, Sima Guang, Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi, Yang Shi, Zhu Xi, Li Gang, and Fan Chunren, lectured at Songyang Academy. Volumes 9 to 21 of Sima Guang’s monumental work, *Zizhi Tongjian* (Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government), were completed at Songyang Academy and Chongfu Palace. The Cheng brothers, Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao, known as the "Two Chengs," taught at Songyang Academy for over a decade. Their teachings were amiable, approachable, profound yet easy to understand, and focused on moral guidance and persuasion. Students left feeling enlightened, as if bathed in a gentle spring breeze. In the 11th year of the Kangxi reign (1711 AD), during the provincial imperial examination in Kaifeng, with less than one candidate selected per county, Dengfeng alone produced five successful candidates. The renowned scholar Jing Dong, who studied at Songyang Academy, passed the imperial examination and later served as an imperial censor nine times. With its exceptional faculty, Songyang Academy gained widespread fame, attracting students from far and wide, becoming one of the most influential academies of the Northern Song Dynasty.

Teaching Characteristics

Songyang Academy holds an important place in the history of Chinese education development. Over nearly a thousand years of evolution, it accumulated rich teaching experience, characterized mainly by:

1. The academy functioned both as an educational institution and a center for academic research, combining teaching with scholarly inquiry.

2. The academy promoted the lecture-meeting system, allowing different schools of thought and perspectives to engage in debates and discussions.

3. The academy adopted an "open-door" teaching policy, providing education for all without regional restrictions.

4. The academy emphasized independent study and self-learning among students, focusing on cultivating their ability to study autonomously. It employed the question-and-debate method to stimulate critical thinking.

5. The relationship between teachers and students at the academy was close and affectionate. Renowned teachers not only imparted knowledge but also inspired students with their noble character and integrity.

Major Attractions

The King of Stone Tablets at Mount Song — The Great Tang Stele

Officially titled *The Great Tang Songyang Guan Stele Commemorating the Sacred Virtue and Merits*, this stele was erected in 744 AD during the Tang Dynasty. Standing 9.02 meters tall, 2.04 meters wide, and 1.05 meters thick, the stele is grand in scale and exquisitely carved. Its 1,078-character inscription primarily recounts the story of the Taoist priest Sun Taichong refining elixirs for Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji. The text was composed by Li Linfu, with the title inscribed in seal script by Pei Jiong and the body written in clerical script by Xu Hao. The characters are well-proportioned, balanced in strength and grace, and exhibit elegant brushwork, representing the pinnacle of Tang Dynasty clerical script. The Great Tang Stele weighs over 80 tons, with just the stele cap alone weighing more than 10 tons. How did ancient people manage to lift such a heavy cap? For centuries, visitors to Songyang Academy have marveled at this question. The folk legend of the "Wisdom of Erecting the Tang Stele" has captivated countless people, becoming an essential part of appreciating the Great Tang Stele.

A Rare Treasure — The Han-Dynasty Sealed Generals’ Cypresses

Originally, there were three ancient cypress trees in Songyang Academy. In 110 BC during the sixth year of the Yuanshou era of the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, visited Mount Song and, impressed by the grandeur and lushness of the cypresses, named them "Grand General," "Second General," and "Third General."

The Grand General Cypress stands 12 meters tall with a girth of 5.4 meters. Its trunk leans slightly, and its dense, broad canopy resembles a large umbrella sheltering the sky. The Second General Cypress is 18.2 meters tall with a girth of 12.54 meters. Though its bark is mottled and it appears aged, it remains vigorous, with sturdy, twisting branches. There is a hole running north to south at the base of the trunk, resembling a doorway, large enough to fit five or six people. Two massive, wing-like branches extend outward, resembling an eagle spreading its wings or a golden rooster about to take flight. When the mountain wind blows, the leaves rustle like tinkling ornaments, reminiscent of the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments. The Third General Cypress was destroyed in the late Ming Dynasty.

The age of the Generals’ Cypresses has long been a mystery. Since being sealed by the emperor, these trees have stood for over two thousand years. The poet Zhao Puchu once praised them with the line: “Songyang has cypresses from the Zhou era, having witnessed three thousand years of history.” According to dendrology experts, the Generals’ Cypresses are primeval trees estimated to be 4,500 years old, making them the oldest and largest cypresses in China.

Observant visitors may notice a curious phenomenon: the Second General Cypress is much larger than the Grand General Cypress, so why is it ranked second? This “first-come, first-served” legend has captivated many literati, inspiring them to compose poems in admiration, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration.

The majestic Generals’ Cypresses add a sense of historical weight and emotional depth to Songyang Academy.

Academy Architecture

The Songyang Academy largely retains its architectural layout from the Qing Dynasty, measuring 128 meters in length from north to south and 78 meters in width from east to west, covering a total area of 9,984 square meters. The central axis of the academy is divided into five courtyards, arranged from south to north in sequence as the Main Gate, the Hall of Sages, the Lecture Hall, the Hall of Orthodox Succession, and the Library Tower. Flanking the central axis are connected side rooms, totaling 106 ancient buildings, most of which are grey-tiled houses with flush gable roofs. These structures are simple yet elegant, refined and unpretentious, distinctly different from the many red-walled, green-tiled temples with carved beams and painted rafters common in the Central Plains region, showcasing strong local architectural characteristics.

Couplets at the Main Gate:

Near all sides, yet at the center, commanding Mount Tai, Mount Hua, Mount Heng, and Mount Heng, the four barriers and rivers surround the sacred peak; through nine dynasties as a capital, embracing the Yi, Luo, and Jian streams, the winds and rains of the Three Terraces form a lofty mountain.

Near all sides yet at the center, commanding Mount Tai, Mount Hua, Mount Heng, and Mount Heng, the four barriers and rivers surround the sacred peak;

Through nine dynasties as a capital, embracing the Yi, Luo, Jian, and streams, the winds and rains of the Three Terraces form a lofty mountain.

Travel Guide

The Songyang Academy is located at the southern foot of Mount Song, about three kilometers north of Dengfeng County. It is embraced by eastern and western mountain ridges, with the Xiaoyao Valley stream flowing gently southward and the Songyue Temple stream murmuring from the west. The two clear streams converge in front of the academy, forming the Shuangxi River, which then meanders southeast into the Ying River. To the south of the academy lies an expanse of fertile farmland. Standing at the entrance of the Songyang Academy, one can look up at the peaks of Mount Song and overlook the panoramic view of Dengfeng City, making it an exceptionally serene environment and a truly worthy place for scholarly pursuit. The architectural layout within the academy maintains styles predating the Qing Dynasty. There are currently over 500 existing halls, corridors, and rooms. The walls of the corridors inside the courtyard are inlaid with inscriptions and messages from literati and scholars throughout the ages, each with unique content and calligraphy styles. The western side courtyard contains some buildings that were part of the teaching and examination area of the Songyang Academy during the Qing Dynasty.

Address: Songyang South Road, Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou

Type: Historical Site

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 0371-62870409

Opening Hours:

7:30-17:30

Transportation

Take bus No. 2 or No. 6 in the city area and get off at the terminal station

Admission Fee

30 RMB/person; this site is also included in the Songyang Scenic Area combo ticket (80 RMB)

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