Songyang Academy--paragon of ancient universities

Songyang Academy is located on the southern side of the Songshan Mountain in Dengfeng Municipal Area, Henan Province. The Songyang Academy is one of the major four academies of the ancient China, the others being Yuelu Academy in Hunan Province, Bailudong Academy in Jiangxi Province, and Yingtian Academy in Henan Province.

According to the records, the academy was first built in the eighth year of the Taihe (484AD) of the Northern Wei Dynasty. Originally, the academy was a Buddhist temple but it became the place for Taoist activities in 612AD. After this, many famous people visited and studied in Songyang Academy, such as Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi, Sima Guang, Fan Zhongyan, and Zhu Xi.

Now, the academy consists of five separate courtyards and several famous buildings, including Xiansheng Palace, Lecture Hall, Daotong Temple, and the Document Storage Building. This Academy has irreplaceably significant buildings for the study of the ancient Chinese architecture, educational system and the Confucian culture.