Toei Shoin

Dengying Academy in Caotun, like a silent oath amidst the rice paddies, has endured four renovations since its founding in 1847, retaining its original appearance. It is one of the best-preserved academies in Taiwan.

The academy features a single-entry, three-sided courtyard layout, with the main hall and two wings connected by a waterway. Heaven and earth flow quietly through the buildings, like a timeline moving through ink painting. Swallowtail screens and blue brackets create a subtle dialogue with the undulating rice paddies, a fusion of tradition and rural rhythm.

I deeply love the old banyan tree leaning against the academy, blending seamlessly with the surrounding rice paddies—it serves as both a cultural pillar and a witness to the passage of time. The academy's success lies not in size but in honesty and perseverance, embodying the spirit of the gentry who donated land to nurture talent. It has quietly become the heart of Caotun's cultural heritage.

Dengying Academy is not a typical tourist attraction, but a space where you can "read time" with your heart. Here, history is not ostentatious, and faith is not ostentatious. As you step through the eaves, you will feel a silent resonance of knowledge, land and humanity - a cultural quiet room that transcends generations.

Post by Andy05x | Jul 29, 2025