Hengyang, Shigu Academy

Hengyang Shigu Academy is one of the famous academies in ancient China. It is located on Shigu Mountain, Shigu District, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, at the confluence of the Xiangjiang River, Zhengshui River and Leishui River. Shigu Academy was built in the fifth year of Yuanhe in the Tang Dynasty (810 AD) and has a history of more than 1,200 years. It was originally a private library built by Li Kuan, a hermit in the Tang Dynasty. After being repaired and expanded through successive dynasties, it gradually developed into a world-renowned academy. In the Song Dynasty, Shigu Academy was known as one of the "Four Great Academies in China" along with Suiyang Yingtian Academy, Yuelu Academy, and Bailudong Academy, and was very famous.