Danzhou Academy

Danzhou Academy

Danzhou Academy — The academy originated during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era under Su Zhaoyang, who served as the magistrate of Huaiyuan (the ancient name for Sanjiang). After completing the construction of the county government office and city walls, Su Zhaoyang built a Confucian temple where official education was conducted. Teachers were brought in from other regions by the county government, and the curriculum mainly focused on the traditional Four Books and Five Classics. In the third year of the Qing Dynasty’s Daoguang era (1823 AD) in the autumn, under the leadership of the then-serving magistrate, local scholars and benefactors were organized to discuss the establishment of an academy and a fundraising appeal was launched, which received support from people across the county. After securing the funds, the academy was eventually built following construction efforts. Located to the east of Danzhou and facing east, the academy covers an area of over 1,340 square meters and includes six classrooms, as well as facilities such as offices, dormitories, an auditorium, a book storage room, a sports field, and a peach orchard.

The academy was the highest institution of learning in Huaiyuan County, attracting students from ethnic minority groups within a radius of hundreds of miles. In the early years of the Republic of China, the student enrollment peaked at over 800. With its beautiful environment and well-equipped facilities, it unfortunately suffered from arson by Japanese invaders when they reached Danzhou, resulting in the burning of two buildings on the front left and right sides of the courtyard. Some of the structures were saved through emergency rescue efforts. After liberation, it was repurposed as Danzhou Central Primary School. In 2007, it was shut down due to insufficient student enrollment, bringing an end to its over 180-year history of education.

The existing wing rooms in the central courtyard were once the temporary residence of Mr. Fei Xiaotong during his social survey in Sanjiang in the 1950s.

Source: Tourism Bureau of Sanjiang Dong Autonomous County

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