Jukui Academy

Jukui Academy

Jukui Academy is a Chongqing Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Jukui Academy, located at Heishishan in Baisha Town, Jiangjin District, Chongqing, is the most well-preserved academy garden architecture in Chongqing. It was first built in the sixth year of the Guangxu reign (1880).

The central hall served as the lecture room, the rear as the Hall of Confucius, the sides as students' study rooms, and the surrounding areas as faculty residences.

In addition to teaching the “Four Books,” “Five Classics,” the “Three Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals,” and the “Classic of Filial Piety,” the curriculum also covered the “Records of the Four Han Dynasties,” “Essentials of Geography,” and “Comprehensive Examination of Literature.” The “Poet of the White Cottage,” Wu Fangji, once studied here, and Bian Nai, a martyr of the Xinhai Revolution, was a former student. In the 31st year of the Guangxu reign (1905), it was renamed Jukui School.

After the Republic of China was established, primary, junior high, and senior high schools were successively founded here. After the War of Resistance Against Japan, the 60th anniversary of the academy was commemorated. Professor Tai Jingnong praised, “The fact that Jukui has stood firm in this corner and continued for sixty years is truly rare in the modern educational history of our country.”

Chen Duxiu, Wu Yuzhang, Feng Yuxiang, Huang Yanpei, and others all visited the academy and spoke highly of it. To this day, the original scale of the academy and its stone inscriptions remain well preserved. Towering ancient trees surround the campus, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere. The main gate features an inscribed couplet: “Know that great national affairs can still be achieved; and that the privilege of educating the world’s talents is a joy.” The academy gate bears another inscription: “Virtuous stars gather here across five hundred li; grand halls open joyfully to shelter thousands.” A stone pillar inside the courtyard carries an inscription by the Buddhist master Ouyang Jian: “This is where heroes are forged; this place blessed by the spirit of mountains and rivers.” It is now Jukui Middle School.

In 2000, Jukui Academy was announced by the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government as one of the first batch of Chongqing Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units.