Hunan Hengyang Shigu Academy Guide

Hunan Hengyang Shigu Academy Guide Shigu Academy is located in Hengyang, Hunan Province. It was built in the mid-Tang Dynasty on Shigu Mountain, which is surrounded by the Zheng River, Xiang River, and the distant Lei River. The mountain extends from the land into the water, and its body almost hangs down on all sides, resembling a large drum, hence the name Shigu Academy. The academy has experienced many ups and downs over its thousand-year history. In modern times, the ancient buildings here were repeatedly bombed and destroyed by the Japanese invaders, but they have been rebuilt in the style of the Qing Dynasty, retaining their ancient charm. Although the ground buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt several times with the changes of history, the cultural heritage has been passed down. As an important birthplace of Huxiang culture and one of the four major academies of the Song Dynasty, Shigu Academy has been quietly educating people and promoting culture for thousands of years. Famous figures such as Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms period, Du Fu and Han Yu of the Tang Dynasty, Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi of the Song Dynasty, and Wang Fuzhi of the Ming Dynasty have all left their marks and stories here, which can be found in the academy. Highlights: There are many cliff inscriptions on both sides of Shigu Mountain under the academy, with more than 30 in total, spanning from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. The inscriptions are in various styles, including regular script, clerical script, and cursive script, hidden between moss and rocks. Well-preserved inscriptions include Xixi, Jiangshang Qingfeng, Zhengxiang, Jieya, and Gaoshan Liushui. You can stroll along the secluded riverbank under the cliff to find these hidden and lively characters, which is quite interesting.