Henan | Huazhou Academy | A Millennium of Cultural Legacy and Sentiments of Joy and Sorrow

Huazhou Academy, located in Dengzhou City, Henan Province, is a national 4A-level scenic spot and a cultural sanctuary founded by Fan Zhongyan, a famous minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, when he served as the prefect of Dengzhou. Centered around Baihua Lake, it integrates Jiangnan gardens, ancient building complexes, and historical relics. It features the Chunfeng Hall where the *Yueyang Tower* was written, stone carvings of Fan Zhongyan's famous lines inscribed by Emperor Kangxi, and the intangible cultural heritage feast of the Flower Festival in spring. It is a cultural landmark of the Central Plains, where "a thousand years of history can be seen in one courtyard, and joy and sorrow can be understood in one scene." --- Travel Guide 🗺️ **Main Attractions**: 1. **Chunfeng Tower**: The highest point of the academy. Ascend the three-story tower for a panoramic view. Carvings and paintings on the beams and pillars feature poems by ancient scholars, allowing visitors to experience the artistic conception of "to see a thousand miles, ascend another story." 2. **Baihua Lake**: Sparkling lake waters and flowers bloom throughout the seasons. Peonies and peach blossoms compete in spring, while chrysanthemum exhibitions fill the autumn. Schools of koi swim in the lake, and feeding them creates a spectacle of "colorful flower balls." 3. **Chunfeng Hall**: The place where Fan Zhongyan lectured and where the *Yueyang Tower* was written. Displays of Fan's calligraphy tools recreate the scene of lectures in the Northern Song Dynasty, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the patriotic sentiment of "worry before others, and enjoy after others." 4. **Zhuangyuan Bridge and Wenchang Tower**: A place for students to pray for good luck. Legend has it that crossing the Zhuangyuan Bridge will bring success in imperial examinations. The Wenchang Tower enshrines the God of Literature, making it suitable for families to pray for their children's academic success. **Special Activities**: - **Flower Festival** (March-April): Twelve flower gods parade, ancient dances, intangible cultural heritage craft market, and a nighttime light show projecting historical stories onto the ancient buildings. - **Traditional Chinese Culture Experience**: Regular calligraphy, guqin playing, and traditional etiquette classes. Visitors can wear Hanfu and participate in interactive activities. **🎫 Tickets and Opening Hours**: - **Tickets**: Full price: CNY 60 (CNY 55 for online booking), students/seniors over 60: half price, children under 1.2m and seniors over 70: free. - **Opening Hours**: 08:30-17:30 (extended to 18:00 in summer), open until 21:30 during the Flower Festival. **🍝 Food Recommendations**: Must-try local specialties around the scenic area include **Dengzhou Tofu Banquet** (tender tofu with secret sauce) and **Huimianpian** (handmade wide noodles with mutton soup). "Fan Gong Restaurant" is recommended for its **Chrysanthemum Pastry** (seasonal tea snack), paired with local **persimmon vinegar** for a refreshing and palate-cleansing experience. --- Accommodation Recommendations 🏨 1. **Huazhou Inn**: A 5-minute walk from the south gate of the academy. Designed in the style of Song Dynasty guesthouses, rooms feature rubbings of the *Yueyang Tower* and offer free Hanfu rental and tea ceremony experiences. 2. **Chunfeng Tower Inn**: Adjacent to Baihua Lake, with lake views from the windows. Some rooms have viewing balconies. Guests can participate in lantern parades at night, making it suitable for families with children. --- Transportation Guide 🚗 - **Self-driving**: From Zhengzhou, take the Zhengzhou-Luanchuan Expressway to the Dengzhou exit. Navigate to "Huazhou Academy," approximately 2 hours. Free parking is available at the scenic spot. - **Public Transportation**: - Take a bus from Zhengzhou Central Bus Station to Dengzhou (2.5 hours), then transfer to Bus No. 2 to the scenic spot (15 minutes). - Take the intercity bus from Nanyang East High-speed Railway Station to Dengzhou (1 hour), then take a taxi to the scenic spot for about CNY 10. Whether ascending the tower to reflect on the past, boating to admire flowers, or enjoying the lantern festival at night, Huazhou Academy, with its thousand-year-old cultural legacy of "a world within a courtyard," connects the rich history and cultural vitality of Dengzhou. 📜