Yingtian Academy, one of the four great academies in China

Yingtianfu Academy is also known as Yingtian Academy, Suiyang Academy, Nanjing Academy, Nandu Academy, and Nanjing Imperial Academy. It is located on the South Lake of Shangqiu Ancient City, Suiyang District, Shangqiu City, Henan Province. It is one of the four famous academies in ancient China. According to historical records, "prefectures and counties began to set up schools here." Yingtianfu Academy was formerly known as Suiyang Academy, which was founded by Yang Que, a native of Shangqiu during the Later Jin Dynasty of the Five Dynasties. In the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu in the Northern Song Dynasty (1009), Emperor Zhenzong of Song upgraded Yingtian Academy to a prefectural school and named it "Yingtianfu Academy". It was also officially named "Yingtianfu Academy". In the seventh year of Dazhong Xiangfu (1014), Yingtian Prefecture (now Shang, Henan) In 1043, the Yingtianfu Academy was renamed the "Nanjing Imperial Academy" and became the highest institution of learning in the Northern Song Dynasty. It was also the only academy in ancient China that was upgraded to the Imperial Academy. Most academies in the Northern Song Dynasty were located in mountainous areas, but the Yingtianfu Academy was located in a bustling city. With the participation of Yan Shu, Fan Zhongyan and others, the Yingtianfu Academy gradually developed into the most influential academy in the Northern Song Dynasty. The main attractions in Yingtian Academy include Chongsheng Hall, the lecture hall in front of Dacheng Hall, the academy gate, the Imperial Library, Zhuangyuan Bridge, the instructor's residence, Minglun Hall, corridors, etc. Fan Zhongyan's "Nanjing Academy Title Record" records that "schools all over the country flourished here" and "Nine Dynasties Chronicles" records that "schools in prefectures and cities all over the country began here during the Song Dynasty." According to the Records of Yixue written by Zhao Mengfu in the Yuan Dynasty, "In the early Song Dynasty, there were four major academies in the world, with Yingtian Academy being the leader." On April 29, 1998, the State Post Bureau held the first issuance ceremony of stamps for the "Four Major Academies" in Shangqiu. On March 13, 2015, Yingtian Academy was listed as the "Henan Province Social Science Popularization Base"