Lianfeng Academy

Lianfeng Academy

Lianfeng Academy is a cultural heritage site protected by Foshan City.

Lianfeng Academy is located beside Fengning Temple on Lianzigang in Shiwan District. It is one of the best-preserved large-scale ancient buildings. Originally built in the early Qing Dynasty, the academy was funded by donations from local gentry in Qibu, gathered by Song Wei, the last county magistrate of Nanhai during the Kangxi reign. It served as an educational institution for the imperial examinations of the fifty-four villages within Qibu. According to *Nanhai Zhi* (*Records of Nanhai*), "Lianfeng Academy is located in Kuigang Fort, at the southern foot of Lianzigang in Shiwangyuan, Shiwan. In the 57th year of the Kangxi reign, County Magistrate Song Wei, along with gentry from seven forts—Dajiang, Dafu, Kuigang, Shencun, Rongzhou, Zhangcha, and Tulu—jointly funded its construction..." The extant *Academy Stele Inscription* also records: "Between Dakui in Nanhai, there was once a temple for civil and military deities, located to the left of the ancient Fengning Monastery... Over time, the buildings deteriorated, so local gentry were called upon to contribute funds to renovate and expand the structure, aiming to foster refined camaraderie through literary gatherings, classical discussions, and poetry competitions..."

Lianfeng Academy underwent multiple renovations over the years. In the 23rd year of the Qianlong reign alone, local gentry spent 700 taels of silver over three months on a major restoration. After the imperial examination system was abolished in the early Republican era, Lianfeng Academy retained its historical significance, becoming the site of the "Qibu General Bureau." The jurisdiction of Qibu, known as "Lianhua Forty-Six," later expanded to include Foshan Town, hence renamed "Lianhua Forty-Seven Villages."

As an educational institution, Lianfeng Academy had its own income sources, including revenues from shops, farmlands, and Fengning Temple, which alone contributed nearly 2,000 taels annually. The academy enforced strict regulations, as outlined in the *Prohibitions Stele of the Reconstructed Lianfeng Academy*, which listed twelve rules. One stated, "Those who seek convenience and enter the academy grounds for socializing... shall be fined if found in violation." "To the right of Lianfeng Academy lies the ancient Fengning Temple, where many Taoist rituals are held. No single-family or clan rituals may disturb the academy, nor can group ceremonies encroach upon its premises. Should anyone open the academy gates for temple rituals without permission, all organizers involved will be penalized." These rules reveal that Lianfeng Academy was not a casual public space but a strictly regulated and prestigious institution, with its prohibitions endorsed and supported by the authorities.

Lianfeng Academy was an institution dedicated to nurturing talent. With financial independence and official recognition, it actively encouraged students from Qibu to pursue scholarly success and official careers, thereby building local influence. The prohibitions even included the statement: "The academy gathers the elite of Qibu, where both young and adult scholars compete in literary compositions, striving to excel in the literary world." In the late Qing Dynasty, a rule was established: any scholar from Qibu who passed the Hanlin examination would receive a reward of 1,000 taels, while those who achieved the status of *juren* (provincial graduate) or *jinshi* (advanced scholar) were also given various incentives. Chen Ruyue, a native of Liantang in the late Qing period, passed the Hanlin examination but received the reward belatedly. By then, Lianfeng Academy had insufficient funds, and some suggested he visit the "Wenchang Emperor" (the deity of literature). Chen replied, "Prepare 1,000 taels first." In reality, he knew the academy couldn’t afford the reward and used this as an excuse to avoid the visit.

Lianfeng Academy is an architectural structure from the early Qing Dynasty, influenced by Ming Dynasty design. Historical records indicate that the academy was expanded from a former temple for civil and military deities, retaining Ming-era features such as the lotus-shaped stone bases (made of saline rock) and red rice-stone-paved courtyards. Due to subsequent renovations, it also incorporates elements from the Republican era, such as the two-story structure in the rear section.

Together with the adjacent Fengning Temple, Lianfeng Academy forms one of the few remaining ancient architectural complexes in Shiwan, making it a rare historical treasure. Many older residents of Shiwan are familiar with both Fengning Temple and Lianfeng Academy, often recounting local legends and folklore associated with these sites.

Source: Chancheng District Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau