The main gate of Shigu Academy. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

In Central China's Hunan province, the city Hengyang was a place of immense historic and cultural importance in ancient China, thanks to the prestigious Shigu Academy.

The academy was established in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Shigu Academy reached its peak and earned its spot on the list of the four great academies in ancient China.

The academy boasts more than 1,200 years' history and lasted through six dynasties, including Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. In addition to its significant status in China's educational history, Shigu Academy is renowned for its beautiful landscape.

As an institution with more than 1,200 years of history, Shigu Academy is one of the four great academies of the Song Dynasty. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

The most well-known teachers of the Shigu Academy are Su Shi, Zhou Dunyi and Zhu Xi. Graduates include Wang Jren, Peng Yulin and Qi Baishi. Also, many scholars, poets and celebrities have been attracted by its reputation and paid visits, including Zhuge Liang, Du Fu, Han Yu, Liu Zongyuan, Liu Yuxi, Xin Qiji and Wen Tianxiang.

As a millennium institution, the original academy was destroyed in 1944 by Japanese bombings. The Shigu Academy we see today was rebuilt on the base of those ruins in 2006.

Shigu Academy reached its peak and earned its spot on the list of the four great academies of ancient China. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

According to Tan Chong'en, the newly-built Shigu Academy is more than an educational institution, but has fully restored its function, giving lectures, collecting books and offering sacrifices to ancestors. A variety of activities take place here, with a view to promoting Chinese traditional culture.

"Shigu Academy takes the central position in promoting Hunan culture," said Guo Jianheng, former director of the cultural relics department of Hengyang city and the author of the book Shigu Academy, adding the academy has integrated Confucian classics with teaching.

Shigu Academy has a unique geographical location and is surrounded by water on three sides. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

"The patriotism and the spirit of pioneering stands for the cultural significance of Shigu Academy, and it will live on in generations of Chinese people," Guo added.

The newly built Shigu Academy is an example of the local government's efforts to speed up the building of a public cultural service system. For instance, a total of 17 intangible cultural heritage teaching bases have been established, and local art treasures including Hengyang Xiang Opera, Hengyang Qi Opera, and Hengzhou Huagu Opera have stepped into the city's art schools and classes, making more people aware of Chinese traditional culture.

Hengzhou Huagu Opera is performed by artists at the Shigu Academy on Nov 26. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

Hengzhou Huagu Opera is performed by artists at the Shigu Academy on Nov 26. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]