Yuelu Academy: China's 1,000-year-old cultural and travel spot

Yuelu Academy is one of China's four most-famous ancient schools. It sits at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, on the west bank of the Xiangjiang River in Changsha – the capital city of Hunan Province well-known for its history and culture. What's more, Yuelu Academy is among the oldest places of learning in the world.

The academy was built in 976 AD during China's Northern Song Dynasty. It lasted through the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. For over 1,000 years, it was always focused on teaching people and keeping culture alive – that's why it's called "A 1,000-Year-Old School." Its buildings are neatly arranged: red-painted walkways and gray-brick, dark-tile houses blend perfectly with surrounding old tall trees. Today, you can still see key structures like the Lecture Hall, the Imperial Book Tower and the Confucian Temple. These buildings aren't just great examples of what schools looked like in the Ming and Qing dynasties – they also hold the deep cultural roots of Hunan. Famous scholars like Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi once gave classes here, helping to develop Neo-Confucianism (a major Chinese philosophy) and facilitating the sharing of academic ideas.

Now, Yuelu Academy is more than just a protected cultural site – it's also a popular spot for tourists interested in culture. Unlike old-style schools that only let people look around, it brings its 1,000-year-old culture to life. You can join interactive activities here: Listen to talks in the "Yuelu Lecture Series," try making things with movable-type printing (an ancient Chinese printing method) or learn how to make paper the old way. There are also special events like the "Night Tour of Yuelu Academy" – a great way to experience the place after dark.