Jingmen Longquan Academy

　　Longquan Academy is situated within Jingmen Longquan Middle School. It was built in the 19th year of the Qianlong reign (1754) during the Qing Dynasty when Shu Chenglong, the then military governor of Jingmen, raised funds to construct the academy on the site of a former private school. The academy originally had three halls and four wing rooms, and spring water gushed naturally from several springs in the lotus pond—hence the name “Longquan” or “Dragon Spring Academy.” It underwent two major renovations in the 6th year of the Daoguang reign (1826) and the 6th year of the Tongzhi reign (1867). Major structures include Yude Hall, Xixin Hall, Dongshan Thatched Cottage, Chunhua Pavilion, Qiushi Pavilion, Jingye Studio, Qunle Studio, Jichang Studio, and Huixin Studio. With small bridges, flowing streams, and green pines and cypresses planted around, the area has a delightful garden-like charm. In the 12th year of the Guangxu reign (1886), additional buildings such as Wenming Tower and Chimu Tower were added. With upturned eaves and magnificent golden decorations, the complex grew even more grand. Later, it was converted into Longquan Middle School. Today, surviving structures such as Wenming Tower and surrounding landscapes including Wenming Lake to the south remain elegant and classic, creating picturesque scenery.

　　Structures within Longquan Academy include the Baihe Pavilion (originally named Tingquan Pavilion), Xixin Pavilion, Yude Hall, Dongshan Thatched Cottage, Chunhua Pavilion, Qiushi Pavilion, Jingye Studio, Lequn Studio, and Fangtang Book House. Looking up toward the hills of Xiangshan from the academy, you can see Yangzhi Pavilion and Guande Pavilion. On the back slope of Longquan are the Shrine of the Spring God and the West Hill Shrine. Gazing further toward Yushan, which faces Xiangshan across the way, stands the Gan Yu Pavilion. Even higher than Yushan is Bailong Mountain, home to the Bailong Temple, Lin Cang Pavilion, and Han Pavilion. Together, these sites are known as the “Ten Pavilions of Longquan.”

　　At the eastern foot of Xiangshan in Longquan, four clear springs gush forth. These springs converge into Wenming Lake, flow into Zhupi River, traverse the urban area, and eventually head east into the Han River. These are the famous “Four Famous Springs of Xiangshan” renowned throughout the Jianghan region: Long (Dragon), Meng (Covered), Hui (Benevolent), and Shun (Obedient). Meng Spring derives its name from the original Mengshan Mountain (the former name of Xiangshan). Hui Spring appeared after Meng Spring, and because it is a warm spring and considered more beneficial than Meng Spring, it was thus named Hui (Benevolent) Spring. In the 11th year of the Qianlong reign (1740 AD), Shu Chenglong, the prefect of the short state, built the Lailong Stone Bridge over the Zhupi River. While quarrying stones near farmland, he dug a new spring between Meng Spring and Hui Spring and unearthed a stone stele inscribed with a poem by Lü Yuan, the military governor of Jingmen during the Xining reign of the Southern Song Dynasty (circa 1070s): "The spring’s abundant flow does deep work of moistening all; / Through stone channels its trickling streams connect to the sea’s vast hall. / When harvests thrive and seasons harmonize with rain so fine, / Calm winds and clouds forever bless the White Dragon’s shrine." Based on the last line of the poem, Shu Chenglong named this spring “Longquan” (Dragon Spring). Shun Spring is located in the Lao Laizi Manor. Lao Laizi was a famed filial son, and the spring was named Shun (Obedient) in his honor. Lao Laizi Manor was the estate where Lao Laizi, a celebrated philosopher and founder of Taoist thought during China’s Spring and Autumn period, lived in seclusion, farming to support his parents. It is one of the “Three Terraces and Eight Scenic Spots” in the history of Jingmen. Covering 0.25 hectares, the manor was opened to the public on a trial basis in 1993 after an investment of 3.55 million yuan. It includes a main hall, side halls, and east and west gates, with displays inside depicting stories from the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars such as “Lao Laizi Entertains His Parents with Colorful Clothes” and “Filial Piety Moves Heaven.” It serves as a site for Laozi studies and traditional moral education for citizens.

　　The Lu Fuzi Shrine, also known as the Lu Wen’an Shrine, is the site where Lu Jiuyuan, a renowned Neo-Confucian scholar and educator of the Southern Song Dynasty, lectured in Jingmen. Reconstructed in 1993 on the foundation of a quadrangle courtyard structure built during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, the shrine cost 1.217 million yuan to rebuild. It now houses the Jingmen Historical Figures Exhibition Hall and the Zhang Zizhong Memorial Hall. The nearby Bonsai Garden was built in 1993 on the site of the historical Tang’an Ancient Temple and Yizhi Garden in Jingmen, covering one hectare. It consists of fifteen sets of imitation Qing-style architecture with gray tiles, white walls, red pillars, including pavilions, terraces, towers, corridors, and more. It serves as a venue for bonsai production, hosting large exhibitions, and providing leisure space for residents.