Zhennan Academy, located in Zhennan Village, Ouyanghai Town, Guiyang County and founded in 1931, covers an area of over 1,300 square meters. It was endowed by the local Long’s family and villagers from seven nearby natural villages. 

 

 

 

After the renovation in 2018, the academy maintains its architectural characteristics of the Republic of China. The main building is a two-story rectangular house, with a mountain-shaped wall facing south and a brick and wood structure. There are a total of 8 classrooms, including preschool classes and first and second grades, which can accommodate more than 300 students.

 

 

 

A villager from Zhennan Village said that the academy covered an area of about 6 mu (0.4 hectares) at the beginning and could accommodate two to three hundred students. It was first a primary school and then a junior high school for 72 years and has nurtured countless students. Due to the dangerous buildings, it was suspended for several years. After renovation, it was reopened.

 

The restored Zhennan Academy still has grey bricks, black tiles, and winding paths. The arched doors and windows show a touch of Western style.

 

 

 

Guiyang’s academies have been thriving for thousands of years, which flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In recent years, Guiyang has increased its efforts to protect and restore ancient academies. At present, there are such well-preserved ancient academies in Guiyang as Xiangshange Academy, Fengjia Academy, Chuanshan Academy, Jianhu Academy, Zhennan Academy, Dingshan Academy, and Songtao Academy.

 

Among them, Xiangshange Academy in Aoquan Town is the oldest one, which was founded in the sixth year of Emperor Baoyou reign in the Song Dynasty (1258 AD).

 

 

 

The rich remains of ancient academies are one of the foundations for inheriting academy culture in Guiyang at present. These academies, mostly integrated into rural revitalization, urban tourism, education and study tour, now become spiritual homes for people to pursue their ideals.

 

Guiyang will continue efforts to protect the relics of ancient academies and explore their spiritual connotations to continue the cultural heritage of Hunan.

 

At the same time, it will revitalize a group of unique ancient academies according to local conditions to reshape the functions of modern academies and promote the innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture.