Songyang Academy

Songyang Academy was first built in the eighth year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (484 AD). At that time, it was a Buddhist activity site and was named Songyang Temple. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, it became a Taoist activity site. Emperor Gaozong of Tang and Empress Wu Zetian used it as a temporary palace twice. During the Northern Song Dynasty, it became a famous educational site. Famous Confucian scholars such as Fan Zhongyan, Cheng Yi, Cheng Hao, and Sima Guang all gave lectures here. A part of Sima Guang's historical masterpiece "Zizhi Tongjian" was completed in the academy. The lectures of these famous Confucian scholars not only made Songyang Academy the first of the four major academies in the Northern Song Dynasty, but also made it one of the birthplaces of Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty.
The architecture of Songyang Academy was built in the Qing Dynasty. The buildings are well preserved and retain the architectural style of traditional academies. The location, layout and form of the buildings have both public and residential architectural features. The existing area of the academy is more than 9,000 square meters. There are five courtyards on the central axis and 106 ancient buildings. Many of the existing steles, sutras and ancient trees in the academy are fine works from past dynasties and are closely related to the important activities of many famous historical figures. The academy education system was abolished in the late Qing Dynasty. As a cultural carrier of this disappeared system, Songyang Academy plays an important role in the study of ancient academy architecture, education system and Confucian culture in my country. As a historical monument, its significance for modern education and culture is also significant and far-reaching.

Attractions Location: Songyang South Road, Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province

Tickets: RMB 30

Opening hours:
08:00-17:00 (Monday to Sunday, January 1st to December 31st)

Contact Details: 0371-62870409;0371-62830518

Time reference: 1-3 hours


Recommended itinerary for Songyang Academy tours

1-Day Itinerary: Discover Songyang Academy

This one-day itinerary focuses on exploring Songyang Academy, one of the four great academies in ancient China, nestled at the foot of Mount Song. Perfect for a cultural day trip.

  • Morning: Arrive in Dengfeng City by high-speed train or long-distance bus. From Dengfeng Bus Station, take a taxi (~15 min) or local bus to Songyang Academy.
  • Late Morning: Explore Songyang Academy – visit lecture halls, ancient cypress trees planted by Confucius, and the stele forest.
  • Afternoon: Visit nearby Zhongyue Temple (5 km, ~10 min by taxi), one of the oldest Taoist temples in China.
  • Evening: Return to Dengfeng city center.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dengfeng at budget inns or boutique hotels like Chanwu Hotel. Enjoy local specialties such as Dengfeng mutton soup and sesame cakes at local restaurants near Zhongyue Street.

Souvenirs: At Songyang Academy, buy calligraphy scrolls, Songshan-themed bookmarks, and replicas of ancient Confucian classics. At Zhongyue Temple, pick up Taoist talismans and incense sets.


2-Day Itinerary: Songyang Academy + Shaolin Temple Experience

This itinerary offers a mix of Confucian heritage and martial arts culture by visiting Songyang Academy and the world-famous Shaolin Temple.

  • Day 1: Follow the 1-day itinerary (Songyang Academy + Zhongyue Temple).
  • Day 2:
    • Morning: Take a taxi or bus to Shaolin Temple (13 km, ~25 min). Explore the temple complex, Pagoda Forest, and Shaolin Kung Fu performance.
    • Afternoon: Visit the Shaolin Zen Music Ritual site (optional).
    • Evening: Return to Dengfeng city.

Accommodation/Food: Stay near Shaolin Temple for countryside inns like Shaolin Zen Hotel. Try mountain vegetable dishes and steamed buns.

Souvenirs: Purchase Shaolin monk figurines, kung fu training shirts, Zen tea sets, and bamboo crafts.


3-Day Itinerary: Songyang Academy + Shaolin Temple + Mount Taishi Hike

This itinerary blends culture and nature, adding a hike to Mount Taishi, which offers spectacular views and historical relics.

  • Day 1–2: Same as the 2-day itinerary.
  • Day 3:
    • Morning: Start early to hike Mount Taishi. Take a taxi from Dengfeng (~10 min) to the entrance.
    • Explore historical sites such as Qimu Hanque and the ancient path used by emperors.
    • Afternoon: Return to Dengfeng for rest.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Dengfeng city. For food, try fried noodles and cold mixed vegetables at local noodle houses.

Souvenirs: Buy Mount Song landscape paintings, jade pendants, and local herbal tea products.


4-Day Itinerary: Confucian Roots and Taoist Heights

Dig deeper into the philosophy and spiritual atmosphere of Songshan by adding Taoist experiences and Dengfeng culture exploration.

  • Day 1–3: Follow the 3-day itinerary.
  • Day 4:
    • Morning: Visit Fawang Temple (~12 km, ~20 min by taxi), a quieter and ancient Buddhist site.
    • Afternoon: Explore the historic Dengfeng Observatory (~8 km from city center), an ancient astronomical tower used during the Yuan Dynasty.

Accommodation/Food: Try eco-resorts near Mount Song or local guesthouses. Sample Buddhist vegetarian cuisine at temple restaurants.

Souvenirs: Astronomical replicas, calligraphy sets, Taoist incense burners.


5-Day Itinerary: Dengfeng Cultural Depth

This itinerary offers a deeper cultural dive with local museums, cultural workshops, and a village visit to witness local crafts.

  • Day 1–4: Same as above.
  • Day 5:
    • Morning: Visit Dengfeng Cultural Museum and Confucian Ritual Reenactment Hall (in city center).
    • Afternoon: Visit a local craft village (~15 km), learn stone engraving or traditional paper-cutting.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in a homestay in the village or return to city. Enjoy handmade tofu and millet porridge.

Souvenirs: Buy handmade paper-cut art, engraved calligraphy stones, and local pickled vegetables.


6-Day Itinerary: Songshan Exploration and Relaxation

Balance cultural heritage with relaxation by visiting hot springs and scenic parks in the Songshan area.

  • Day 1–5: Follow previous itineraries.
  • Day 6:
    • Morning: Head to Yingtianmen Hot Spring Resort (~20 min from Dengfeng).
    • Afternoon: Leisure time, optional spa treatments or mountain walk.

Accommodation/Food: Stay at Yingtianmen Hot Spring Hotel. Enjoy herbal hotpot or nourishing soups in the resort dining area.

Souvenirs: Herbal spa products, essential oils, wellness teas.


7-Day Itinerary: Ultimate Songshan Cultural Retreat

This itinerary culminates in a comprehensive journey of Songyang, Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Zen culture, capped with reflection and leisure.

  • Day 1–6: As above.
  • Day 7:
    • Morning: Meditation or Tai Chi session at a Zen Retreat Center near Shaolin Temple.
    • Late Morning: Reflective walk at Songshan Geopark.
    • Afternoon: Light shopping and return journey to your home city via Zhengzhou or Luoyang.

Accommodation/Food: End your trip in comfort at a wellness resort or cultural guesthouse. Savor farewell meal with mountain delicacies and seasonal fruits.

Souvenirs: Meditation cushions, local honey, tea bricks, Buddhist prayer beads, and Tai Chi garments.


User Reviews

By leliawl |

The explanation fee is 50 yuan and the reference time is 40 minutes.

The Tiandizhong Historical Building Complex is one of the national cultural relics. It was first built in the eighth year of Taihe reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (484 AD) and was originally named Songyang Temple. It was renamed Songyang Temple in 605 AD and was renamed Songyang Academy in the second year of Jingyou reign of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty. It was an ancient institution of higher learning in my country and one of the four major academies in the Northern Song Dynasty. It was also the source and dissemination center of Song Dynasty Neo-Confucianism. Songyang Academy was destroyed by war in the late Ming Dynasty.

By Xiao Yan |

Songyang Academy is a famous institution of higher learning in ancient China, one of the four great academies in ancient China, a part of the historical building complex of Tiandizhong in the World Cultural Heritage, and a national key cultural relic protection unit. It is located at the southern foot of Songshan Mountain in Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. Songyang Academy has a simple and elegant structure. The main building on the central axis has five entrances and corridors. Songyang Academy is known as a "specimen" for studying ancient Chinese academy architecture, education system and Confucian culture due to its unique Confucian education building nature.

Academies are a unique educational organization in Chinese feudal society. They occupy an important and unique position in the history of ancient Chinese education and have a significant influence. Songyang Academy is one of the four major academies in ancient China and is the best among academies. It has played an important educational role in spreading the traditional culture of the Chinese nation and cultivating talents.

Songyang Academy was famous for its Neo-Confucianism, rich culture and unique cultural relics. Songshan area has been an important area for Confucianism since ancient times. There are Songyang Academy, Yinggu Academy, Shaoshi Academy, Nancheng Academy and Cungu Academy here, among which Songyang Academy is the most prominent. "The scenery of the academy is the most beautiful in Songshan, and the stone tower still bears the name of the Forbidden City. The mountain scenery and the sound of the stream linger in the rain, and the fragrance of chrysanthemums and bamboos are happy in the clear weather. How can I say goodbye when I first come here? I wrote a sentence in the shade of Han cypress trees."

By Xiao Yan |

Songyang Academy is a famous institution of higher learning in ancient China, one of the four great academies in ancient China, a part of the historical building complex of Tiandizhong in the World Cultural Heritage, and a national key cultural relic protection unit. It is located at the southern foot of Songshan Mountain in Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. Songyang Academy has a simple and elegant structure. The main building on the central axis has five entrances and corridors. Songyang Academy is known as a "specimen" for studying ancient Chinese academy architecture, education system and Confucian culture due to its unique Confucian education building nature.

Academies are a unique educational organization in Chinese feudal society. They occupy an important and unique position in the history of ancient Chinese education and have a significant influence. Songyang Academy is one of the four major academies in ancient China and is the best among academies. It has played an important educational role in spreading the traditional culture of the Chinese nation and cultivating talents.

Songyang Academy was famous for its Neo-Confucianism, rich culture and unique cultural relics. Songshan area has been an important area for Confucianism since ancient times. There are Songyang Academy, Yinggu Academy, Shaoshi Academy, Nancheng Academy and Cungu Academy here, among which Songyang Academy is the most prominent. "The scenery of the academy is the most beautiful in Songshan, and the stone tower still bears the name of the Forbidden City. The mountain scenery and the sound of the stream linger in the rain, and the fragrance of chrysanthemums and bamboos are happy in the clear weather. How can I say goodbye when I first come here? I wrote a sentence in the shade of Han cypress trees."

By Scholar's spirit |

Songyang Academy is known as one of the four great academies in ancient China. The "four great academies" refer to Yingtianfu Academy (now on the south lakeside of Shangqiu Ancient City, Suiyang District, Shangqiu, Henan), Yuelu Academy (now Yuelu Mountain, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan), Bailudong Academy (now Lushan, Lushan City, Jiujiang, Jiangxi), and Songyang Academy (now Songshan, Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou, Henan).

According to historical records, the academy was first built in the eighth year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (i.e. 484 AD) and was originally named Songyang Temple, a Buddhist temple. Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty visited Pan Shizheng twice, and Empress Wu Zetian conferred the title of Emperor Songshan on this temple, both of which were used as temporary palaces. During the Qingtai period of the Five Dynasties, Jinshi Pang Shi once gathered people to give lectures at Songyang Temple. During the Later Zhou Dynasty, it was renamed Taiyi Academy and became a center for Confucian activities. In the second year of Jingyou in the Song Dynasty (i.e. 1035 AD), Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty named it Songyang Academy. During the heyday of the Northern Song Dynasty, Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi, masters of Luo School of Confucianism, gave lectures here, which made the academy famous and became one of the four major academies in the Northern Song Dynasty. The story of Cheng Men Li Xue took place in this academy.

By Longing for the distance |

The Tiandizhong Historical Building Complex is one of the national cultural relics. It is located at the foot of Junji Peak, 3 kilometers north of Dengfeng City. It is named because it is located on the sunny side of Songshan Mountain.

It was founded in 484.

By Arslan |

The two cypress trees inside are over 4,500 years old, and it’s worth it just to see them.

By Little Pig Man |

In ancient times, the country's top-notch universities could be said to be the country's most important treasures.

By Rest, little thief |

One of the four major academies, the buildings are mainly newly restored, but the Tang Dynasty steles and general cypresses inside are still quite shocking.

By noob |

You can see Taishi Mountain from the backyard. I feel like I will be absent-minded during class. . . General Bai is really domineering.

By Footprints of the Freeman |

Songyang Academy is one of the four major academies in the Song Dynasty. It is very close to the city, at the foot of Mount Song. "The scenery of the academy is the most beautiful, and the stone tower still bears the name of the Forbidden City. The mountain scenery and the sound of the stream linger in the rain, and the fragrance of chrysanthemums and the rhythm of bamboos welcome the new clear weather. How can I say goodbye when I first come here? I wrote a poem in the shade of Han cypress trees."

By A Hao can't get fat |

Songyang Academy is one of the four major academies in China. It is located at the foot of Taishi Mountain and has a 4,500-year-old cypress tree.

By olive tree |

The Songyang Academy buildings that we see now were built in the Qing Dynasty. The buildings are well preserved, preserving the architectural style of traditional academies. The location, layout and form of the buildings have both public and residential features. The academy now covers an area of more than 9,000 square meters. The central axis building has five courtyards and a total of 106 ancient buildings. Many of the existing steles, sutra pillars and ancient trees in the academy are fine products from past dynasties.

By l Kezi |

On August 9, 2018, the two of us took a bus from Zhengzhou to Dengfeng, checked into the hotel and took a taxi straight to Songyang Academy. As one of the four major academies in China, Songyang Academy has a very historical atmosphere. Liangzi bought a map of Chinese history here. It was very detailed and clear and very rewarding. He took the map with him to climb Mount Taishi.

By Unrivaled |

Songyang Academy is located in the north of Dengfeng City. It is named after the location on the south side of Songshan Mountain. It is backed by the main peak of Songshan Mountain, Suoji Peak, and faces the gurgling Shuangxi River. It is surrounded by mountains on both sides. There are towering ancient cypresses in the academy. The environment is ancient, elegant and quiet. When Emperor Qianlong visited Songshan Mountain, he left a poem here: "Songyang Academy has the most beautiful scenery, and the stone tower still bears the inscription of the Forbidden City." The ticket price is 30 yuan per adult, and half price is 15 yuan.

By skylark1670 |

At the gate of Songyang Academy, you have to return the same way after the tour. The hiking trail is on the right side outside the gate. The plain gate of Songyang Academy.

The Tang Stele was written by Li Linfu in the Tang Dynasty.

There are two ancient trees in the academy, the general and the marshal. Look carefully at the treetop on the right, does it look like a Guanyin?

Walking out of Songyang Academy, next to it is the main hiking trail of Songshan Mountain. There is no cable car in Taishi Mountain, so you can only climb by foot.

By Neptune |

A very quiet and peaceful courtyard. Many celebrities have studied here. It has a strong bookish atmosphere and is much more comfortable than today's universities. There are also many inscriptions.

By KerryPak |

The ticket office of Songyang Academy is at the gate, and cars are allowed to enter only after buying tickets. The parking spaces in the Songyang Academy scenic area are very tight, but fortunately I went there early.

Enter the scenic area, climb a few steps and you will reach the main entrance of Songyang Academy. The plaque on the door reads "Songyang Academy" in large characters. Enter the main entrance, and on the right is the Academy's stele forest, where rows of stone tablets stand, explaining the past to the world. Inside, you can see the stone stele portrait of Bodhidharma. Walking inside is the backyard, which is the library. The surrounding rooms are filled with calligraphy and paintings. Most of the areas around the library are prohibited from taking photos. The library displays a replica of Wu Zetian's gold tablet for removing sins. This is the only existing cultural relic of Wu Zetian in the world, and it is extremely valuable.

By Enlightenment in a Foreign Land |

Tang stele and ancient cypress are worth 30 yuan. There are also old photos of Dengfeng on display inside. If you look closely, it is very interesting. Unfortunately, the light in the room is too dim.

By The world view of small yellow croaker |

The opening hours of Songyang Academy are 8:00-18:30 in spring and summer, and 8:00-18:00 in autumn and winter. The ticket price is 30 yuan. There is a QR code on the ticket, and you can listen to the free explanation.

Because I really like this atmosphere, the academy is a must-visit attraction for me. If you are not very interested in it, you can ignore it.

By Big belly cat |

Songyang Academy is an ancient institution of higher learning and one of the four major academies in China during the Tang Dynasty. The others are Yingtian Academy, Yuelu Academy, and Bailudong Academy. Songyang Academy is simple and elegant. The main buildings on the central axis have five entrances and corridors. Songyang Academy is known as a "specimen" for studying ancient Chinese academy architecture, education system, and Confucian culture because of its unique Confucian education architectural nature. The origin of Songyang Academy is equivalent to Shaolin Temple. It was also during the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was called Songyang Temple at that time. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Taoism developed and it was renamed Songyang Guan and became a Taoist training ground. Later, during the Five Dynasties, it was converted into an academy. It was renamed Songyang Academy during the Northern Song Dynasty until today. According to records, 24 great writers, including Fan Zhongyan, Sima Guang, Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi, Yang Shi, Zhu Xi, Li Gang, and Fan Chunren, have lectured at Songyang Academy.

By Nuggets |

One of the four great academies in Guda, China, it is a must-see, especially the huge tree inside.

By Lu H |

It was rainy and there were less than 10 tourists walking around. It felt like we were the only ones walking on the ancient road to study.

By Augustus |

On the south side of Mount Taishi, there is a constant drizzle; tourists are scattered, and the grass and trees are competing for beauty; it is simple, quiet, and elegant; the ancient sages and wise men’s voices linger in the apricot temple; the story of Cheng Men Li Xue is passed down for hundreds of years; the Yangguan that has existed for thousands of years is all in this courtyard.

By If your heart is at peace |

The cultural atmosphere is very strong and the history is very worth a visit! !

By KR0535 |

It is probably the off-season now. I almost couldn't see anyone in the afternoon. There were only two or three groups of tourists the whole time. There were no staff except for the ticket gate and the shop. The academy is not big and can be visited in 30 minutes. The Tang Dynasty stele and the 4,500-year-old cypress tree are must-sees. The replica of Empress Wu's Golden Tablet is in the book collection pavilion (shop).

It costs 12 yuan to take a taxi from Zhongyue Temple without using the meter. Zhongyue Temple is full of pilgrims, but it is very quiet here.

By Geometry |

It exceeded my expectations, I must recommend it, it's worth watching, you will regret it if you don't watch it

By Cai Bosi |

Songyang Academy is an ancient institution of higher learning and one of the four major academies in China. The structure of Songyang Academy is simple and elegant, with five main buildings on the central axis and complete corridors. Songyang Academy is known as a "specimen" for studying ancient Chinese academy architecture, education system and Confucian culture due to its unique Confucian education architecture.

Academies are a unique educational organization in Chinese feudal society. They occupy an important and unique position in the history of ancient Chinese education and have a significant influence. Songyang Academy is one of the four major academies in ancient China and is the best among academies. It has played an important educational role in spreading the traditional culture of the Chinese nation and cultivating talents.

By Linghu onion |

We took a long-distance bus from Luoyang city. The conductor on the bus asked us if we wanted to hire a tour guide for 10 yuan, and then take us to various classic places. We agreed. The first stop was Songyang Academy, but we felt the 30 yuan ticket was not worth it, so we took a look around and left, and set off for Shaolin Temple.

By The Proud Little Princess |

Songyang Academy is relatively small, and I finished the tour in a short while. As soon as I entered, I could smell the sweet osmanthus fragrance. There was a quiet feeling in the academy. If I had time, I could sit here for a whole day. People like me who don’t study want to sigh that if our school had this environment back then, I could have gone to Peking University and Tsinghua University! 😂😂😂The big tree at the entrance is so beautiful that I was attracted by it!

By Taste the tea and taste you |

A quiet, quaint and fragrant academy.

By Confused Lamb |

There was heavy fog on the first day of our arrival. After much deliberation, we decided to go to Taishi Mountain first. Songyang Academy is at the entrance of Taishi Mountain.



[Location] At the corner of Taishi Mountain, but the tickets are purchased separately from those for Taishi Mountain. After going to Songyang Academy, you have to go out and go up the mountain along the nearby hiking trail. It will take about half an hour to see the ticket office of Taishi Mountain.



[Ticket] The ticket price of Songyang Academy is 30 yuan, and there is a half-price ticket for 15 yuan. The ticket lady and the ticket inspector are very nice. They told me how to get to Taishi Mountain.



【Scenery】After all, I am studying education, and Songyang Academy is also famous in the history of education. But it is actually an academy, with some introductions about Confucius' Confucianism and Song Dynasty academies. It is still worth a visit for students, and it takes about 30 to 40 minutes. When I went out, I just caught up with a bunch of elementary school students coming in for a spring outing. . Lucky_(:з」∠)_. .

By 23 |

Tickets are 30 yuan, half price with student ID. Opening hours: 8:00-18:30 in spring and summer, 8:00-18:00 in autumn and winter. The recommended visiting time is 30 minutes to 1 hour. Compared with Yuelu Academy, which is also one of the four major academies, it is a bit small. The most interesting thing is that the Golden Tablet of Empress Wu is actually a replica.

By Put the gold in the bag |

Suitable for literary young people who come to our hiking and mountaineering, come in just to watch the excitement. A relatively simple old school.

By Tanghulu wants to go out and play |

Songyang Academy was an ancient institution of higher learning and one of the four major academies in China.

What impressed me most in Songyang Academy and Zhongyue Temple was not the ancient buildings or historical stories, but their volunteer guides! In both places, there are some retired grandpas and aunts who serve as free guides. They are very enthusiastic and focused on learning the culture of guides. They all have a book in their hands and read the guides when they are not explaining. It really touched me.

By Ant Yunqisky |

Songyang Academy is one of the four ancient academies. It is well preserved and worth visiting.

By It's ridiculous. |

It has a lot of cultural heritage. You can't see much by yourself. I paid 50 yuan to find a tour guide at the door. After the explanation, I realized that it has a lot of history. So many literati and scholars have left behind so many valuable treasures, such as Zizhi Tongjian, the Observatory of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, and Generals One, Two, Three. It has a lot of history and a very academic atmosphere!

By Xlsong |

I only visited the academy and didn't go up the mountain. The academy was much smaller than expected. But the environment was good, with several thousand-year-old trees.

By MagicDeck |

It is worth a visit, especially the three treasures of Songyang are worth seeing.

By Qirui Lotte |

Songyang Academy, Yingtian Academy, Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy are collectively known as the four major academies in ancient China. Songyang Academy has beautiful scenery, charming landscapes and profound cultural heritage. It is a pity not to visit Songyang Academy when visiting Shaolin Temple.

How to get there: Take bus No. 2 in the city, and the last stop is Songyang Academy.

Ticket price: Adult ticket 30 yuan, half-price ticket 15 yuan for those over 60 with ID card, free admission for those over 70.

Browsing tips: Wu Zetian Golden Tablet, Tang Dynasty Stone Stele, Great General Cypress, Second General Cypress, Lecture Hall, Daotong Temple.

By Wang Da is confused and has a poor sense of direction |

The Great General Tree and the Second General Tree are quite interesting. The main purpose of coming here is to reminisce about the past.

By Chaos |

One of the four major academies, the cultural heritage is very important. It is worth a visit. Tickets are 50, and students are half price. It is recommended to take a tour guide to listen to it~~~

By Mumu waits for the wind to come |

Songyang Academy is not big, it takes less than an hour to visit. It is best to ask a tour guide to tell you the historical stories involved in it, such as Dayu's flood control, the two Cheng brothers, etc. The more famous ones are the Tang Dynasty Stele and the Great General and the Second General. The stories of the Great General, the Second General, and the Third General were just funny when I first heard them. If you think about it carefully, this is also a microcosm of ancient officials. The emperor's words determine life and death. Even if you are talented, you can't beat the emperor's ruthlessness. Picture 2 shows the Second General's stomach bursting (#°Д°) Picture 3 shows the Great General feeling ashamed and hiding outside the wall.

By Plato in the Wind |

As a pseudo-cultured person, I have an inexplicable spiritual worship for academies. Academies are like monuments that must be worshipped spiritually. As one of the four major academies, Songyang Academy is less lively than Bailudong Academy in Jiangxi and Yuelu Academy in Hunan. I got a tour guide and got to know the academies better. Among them, the Li Linfu Monument of the Tang Dynasty should be one of the highlights. Ancient locust trees, ginkgo trees and ancient pines over a thousand years old can be found in any scenic spot in Henan, which shows the seniority of Zhongyue. The sons of Zhu Xi and Fan Zhongyan have lectured here. The learning principle of the academy is self-study as the main method and lectures as the supplement. I like Lin Zexu's couplet on one of the doors: "The sea embraces hundreds of rivers and is tolerant, and the wall stands thousands of feet high and is strong without desire." I still need to cultivate my character.

By Mr. Bit |

Songyang Academy is located at the foot of Songshan Mountain. I originally thought it was a combined scenic spot, but it is actually separate. The ticket to Songyang Academy is 30 yuan, and the student ID is half price 15 yuan. However, if you walk fast, you can finish in 15 minutes, and if you walk slowly, half an hour is enough to finish. There are not many books in the whole place, but there are some books in the last room. I don’t know if they are authentic, anyway, they are all sealed.

I think the most eye-catching thing about Songyang Academy is the big trees. They must be very old and very thick. They are probably the thickest trees I have ever seen. They are about twice as thick as the big tree at the entrance of the Summer Palace. There are two other thick trees like this inside, one is relatively large and scattered, and the other seems to be closer. These two trees are still worth seeing. There is nothing else.

By Gu Chenkai |

There is a General Cypress tree inside, which is more than 4,000 years old. It is the most imposing tree I have ever seen. You must see it.

By coco |

Nothing special, just an ordinary temple, it doesn't matter whether you go there or not

By Bei Zhuzhu |

Before the trip, I referred to the travel guide and felt that even if I didn’t go up the mountain in Songyang Scenic Area, I should still visit Songyang Academy.

After arriving, I found that it is really necessary to visit the academy. As one of the four major academies, Songyang Academy gives you a sense of tranquility as soon as you enter the academy.

Even in winter, you can still feel the academic atmosphere of the academy, and with Mount Song lying behind you, it feels really great.

Although there were some minor problems when buying tickets, the ticket sales staff also solved them.

There is a bus in front of Songyang Academy, which makes it very convenient to get to Dengfeng City!

By Fish in the North Sea |

It is worth a visit, the ticket is a bit expensive, the most worth seeing are the Tang Dynasty Stele and the General Cypress, it is the first of the four major academies and a place with rich cultural heritage.

By Leaves are flying |

As a famous academy, the humanistic atmosphere is not as strong as expected, but it gives people a friendly feeling, which is also good.

By Ivy Tomato |

I went to the Junji Peak of Songshan Mountain in autumn and started climbing from Songyang Academy. The academy was full of ancient trees and quiet. Young monks were practicing martial arts shirtless. In the backyard, there were older monks washing clothes. They were focused on the things in front of them and were not disturbed by the passing tourists. The climbing path was made of stone slabs, and it was not hard to climb. Along the way, the blue sky and rocks echoed each other, and the autumn leaves were intoxicating. My body and mind were immersed in the autumn charm of the mountains, so that the joy of reaching the top was no longer profound. When I think back, I still remember the gorgeousness of the forests and the rocks shining white in the sun.

By Melody |

Songyang Academy is one of the four major academies in the Song Dynasty. It was founded in 484 (the eighth year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty). The environment is elegant, simple and quiet, and it is a good place for meditation. Sima Guang once wrote "Zizhi Tongjian" here. The layout is based on each courtyard as a unit and gradually increases in height. Although the area is not large, many celebrities have lectured or visited here in history. The precious Tang Dynasty stone tablet "The Great Tang Songyang Temple Records the Saintly Virtue and Shengying Yisong Tablet" is the treasure of the academy.

By Travel around China |

Songyang Academy is located in the west of Zhengzhou City and the north of Dengfeng City. It belongs to the Taishi Mountain of Songshan. Songyang Academy was once a famous Confucian education institution and is now an important cultural heritage. Songyang Academy is on the right side of the gate of Songyang Scenic Area. The gate is not very big, but it is very simple. There are four big characters on it: Gaoshan Yangzhi. After entering the gate, there is a traditional Chinese courtyard. Go up the steps and enter the gate of the academy. There is a Tang Dynasty stele carried by Bixi on the left side of the gate. The handwriting is already blurred. There are almost no traces of the academy except the statue of Confucius. The last courtyard is the former library, which is also used to sell some cultural books and calligraphy and paintings. There are not many tourists going to the academy, and it is quite lonely.

By A huge miracle |

I went there in the morning. There were few people and it was quiet! The academy is not big, and the general cypress is majestic and domineering! The manhole cover is the most distinctive one I have seen in so many scenic spots!

By A reed floating on the sea |

Located at the foot of Mount Song (Junji Peak), the environment is quiet and peaceful, where reading the books of sages is a real pleasure.

By Late Spring in Jiangnan |

After I arrived at Songyang Academy, I felt a little disappointed. It was not as quiet as Bailudong Academy. Songyang Academy seemed to be in a small town, with a food stall next to it. The taste of the academy was lowered a lot. After entering, I felt that the area was not large. I visited along the central axis from front to back. There were five main buildings. I listened to the tour guide's explanation and walked slowly. It took more than half an hour to finish. The natural environment is also very different from Bailudong. Maybe this is the north. The vegetation can't catch up with the dense and lush vegetation in the south.

By Floating Years |

It was a small regret that I couldn’t get in because it was too late.

By Small zinc |

Songyang Academy is located at the southern foot of Mount Song and at the foot of Mount Taishi. It is named after it is located on the south side of Mount Song. It is known as one of the four major academies in ancient my country, along with Yuelu Academy in Hunan, Bailudong Academy in Jiangxi, and Yingtian Academy (also known as Suiyang Academy) in Shangqiu, Henan.

Walking in the mountains, the cool wind blowing the leaves, it seems that you can hear the "rustling" sound of pages turning. The vigorous green cypresses, the dense bamboos; the quiet stone tablets, the deep courtyards. One cannot help but feel that Songyang Academy is dignified and elegant, strong and steady. It is an excellent place for reading, writing, lecturing, and doing academic research.

By Big Monkey |

A very cultural place, you must go...

By Lingli |

As one of the four great academies in ancient China and one of the birthplaces of Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty, Songyang Academy should be a holy place for scholars. However, few people enter here. The path to the mountain of books is hard work, and the boat to the boundless sea of learning is hard work! The thousand-year-old academy is so deserted, who still values culture! Who still wants to look up to the mountains!

By Fat Swallow |

The academy has a quiet environment and is filled with cultural atmosphere. The "Two Chengs" of the Song Dynasty, Sima Guang and Fan Zhongyan once gave lectures at Songyang Academy, and part of Sima Guang's magnum opus "Zizhi Tongjian" was written at Songyang Academy.

The academy is not large and can be toured in about half an hour, but this place is definitely worth visiting for friends who love history and culture.

By A seagull |

One of the four great academies in China, it is located at the foot of Taishi Mountain, very close to the city of Dengfeng, and there is a direct bus to it. The academy is not big, but there are many real antiques inside.

The existing main buildings of Songyang Academy are from the Qing Dynasty, but many ancient artifacts are preserved inside.

There are also some small stone carvings and the like.

By Island Ayong |

Songyang Academy in Henan Province was known as one of the four major academies in China as early as the Song Dynasty, along with Yingtian Academy in Suiyang, Yuelu Academy in Hunan, and Bailudong Academy in Jiangxi. Songyang Academy has a profound cultural heritage and well-organized explanations. The Tang Stele, the General Cedar of the Han Dynasty, the Golden Tablet of Wu Zetian's Removal of Crime (the three treasures of Songyang Academy), and the Poetry Stele by Huang Tingjian of the Northern Song Dynasty (the explanation said it was an authentic work) are highlights. The entire Songyang Academy is a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit in Henan Province, while the Tang Stele is a national-level cultural relic, which was carved in the third year of the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty (744 AD). The inscription was written by Li Linfu, a favored minister of Li Longji, and the words on the stone tablet were written by Xu Hao, a famous calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty. At present, there are only three stone tablets written by Xu Hao preserved in the country, and the Tang Stele has the most fonts and is the best preserved. The entire work is written in an exquisite style, without any slack strokes, and is a treasure of Tang Dynasty official script. The old and vigorous cypress tree is full of beauty, and its withered branches and thick leaves reveal a strong sense of vicissitudes and perseverance, which makes people reluctant to leave. The Golden Tablet of Wu Zetian's Removal of Crime is a replica, and the real Golden Tablet is now in the Henan Museum.

By tx |

Songyang Academy belongs to the Songshan Scenic Area. It is quite quiet. The main purpose is to see the two ancient cypresses "General" and the Tang Dynasty Stele.

By Waiting Alone |

The tickets for Songyang Academy and Taishi Mountain are separate, but you will pass by Songyang Academy during the climb. I personally do not recommend Songyang Academy. It is not worth the 30 yuan ticket price. There are only a few thousand-year-old trees.

By See the world for yourself |

Take bus No. 2 and get off at Songyang Academy Station. The bus fare in Dengfeng is 1 yuan per person. Some buses have a number plate, but they are not buses. They just run on bus routes. After crossing the river on the right, you will enter the scenic area. The ticket gate is at the bridge in front.

By Apple |

One of the four major academies in China, the two ancient trees and the Golden Tablets of Wu Zetian are worth seeing. She created five words that are not in the dictionary.

By caying |

Walking from the bottom to the top of Songyang Academy, you can feel the changes in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. This is indeed a good place to study.

By Invincible in the East |

The structure is simple and elegant, and it is the best among the academies. It has played an important educational role in spreading the traditional culture of the Chinese nation and cultivating talents. In Songyang Academy, there is an extremely tall ancient cypress tree, which is more than 4,000 years old and is the oldest cypress tree in China. From the side, the top of the tree is Guanyin Bodhisattva.

By To the future Du Xiaokang |

Finally I saw the true appearance of Songyang Academy. On both sides of the door are the inscriptions left by Emperor Qianlong. It is worth visiting.

By xiangrikui715 |

I was impressed by the 4,500-year-old tree, the General Cypress, and the ancient books in the study. Think about how many vicissitudes an ancient tree has seen. We are just a drop in the ocean and will disappear in the blink of an eye. So there is no need to worry too much. Just be open-minded about everything.

By Eagle in the sky |

Songyang Academy has produced a considerable number of famous scholars and writers. Quietly standing in front of the desk of the ancient sage, it takes ten years to grow a tree and a hundred years to educate a person. Only by reading can one become wise and understand reason and righteousness. You may wish to stay here for a while, take a look at the relics of the ancestors, and also inspire yourself to read the world's articles and make the most of your youth to serve the country.

By cleversun |

Songyang Academy is one of the four great academies in the Song Dynasty. There is a couplet at the entrance with a very grand content: Near the four sides, only the center, the unified Taihua Hengheng, the four blocked the pass and the river, the sacred mountain. After nine dynasties, it was a metropolis, including Yiluojian, and the three terraces were high mountains in wind and rain.

By Ghost |

This one must be recommended, although there is nothing to see, but the cultural atmosphere and bookish atmosphere are still there.

By Little girl's father |

Songyang Academy is actually not very big. It took us more than an hour to visit it carefully. If we just rush around, it might take at most half an hour. The stone tablet in front of the academy has blurred writing, but it has a sense of historical vicissitudes.