[2025 Yixing Attraction] Travel Guide for Dongpo Academy (Updated Apr)

#discoverchina Dongpo Academy is steeped in cultural richness, inviting those with a passion for literature, art, and philosophy to immerse themselves in its scholarly atmosphere. With a deep connection to Su Dongpo’s legacy, this historic site resonates with the spirit of intellectual exploration and creative expression. Every corner of the academy whispers inspiration—from its traditional architecture to the quiet spaces that encourage reflection and thought. Whether you’re drawn to poetry, calligraphy, or the depth of ancient wisdom, the ambiance here fosters a profound connection to China’s literary heritage. Dongpo Academy isn’t just a place—it’s an experience that speaks to the heart of artistic minds, offering a setting where culture and creativity flourish. 🌿✨📜🏛️

I bet! 99% of the bulk Jiangsu people~ I have never heard of the name Dingshu Town 😂! Because this place is so low-key! Obviously favored by various big brands! But never advertise! The B family even held a dinner party here! · And there are many check-in spots in the town! Take photos and release them in films! 📸📸📸 Whether it is the scenic Huanglongshan Mine Site Park The second Tao Factory was designed by a master architect. Or the Shushan Ancient South Street full of Jiangnan flavor, All! value! have to! one! go! And these places are very close! A day trip can be easily done😏! · ⭐ Dingshu Town One-Day Tour Guide⭐ · 🎈1st stop: Huanglongshan Mine Site Park (p1-3) Visiting the park, you can learn about the history of purple clay mining and feel the magical charm of nature. Here you can enjoy the beauty of both scenery and architecture! The photos are also very good! Especially with a wide angle lens! The blockbuster visual effect is full... · 🎈Stop 2️⃣: Tao Er Factory (p4-9) As soon as you enter, you'll be greeted by an artistic atmosphere. The UCCA Ceramic Art Museum was designed by Kengo Kuma. The ceramic exterior wall changes color with the light, and every photo you take will turn out great! There is a new exhibition being prepared in the museum, which is expected to open to the public in April! There are also many ceramic art and cultural creative stores here. After a round of shopping, my aesthetic taste has been improved. · 🎈Stop 3️⃣: Shushan Gunan Street (p10-15) It is full of charm. Walking on the stone road, with old buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties on both sides, it feels like traveling back in time. As the birthplace of purple clay, there are many purple clay artist studios here, and you can also buy an authentic purple clay teapot. There is also the Qingcao Art Museum here, where paintings by masters are exhibited from time to time. Not far away are the Dongpo Academy and Xiansheng Zen Temple! · 🚗Travel tips: It is convenient to drive by yourself. The exit of Changshen Expressway is close to Tao Erchang; you can also take the high-speed rail to Yixing Station and then take a taxi. ·

Route: Dongpo Academy—Shushan Ancient South Street—Factory No. 2—Dongpo Pavilion—Gantian Reservoir Tips: Reservations are not required for these attractions. The Zhen Yan Restaurant in Factory No. 2 is quite good. Almost every dish is delicious, and there are no disappointments. My favorites are the "Chicken Soup Wontons" and "Garlic-Flavored Sea Bass." Dongpo Academy: Originally built in the Northern Song Dynasty, it was where Su Dongpo planned to retire, but unfortunately, he passed away before he could do so. The four-courtyard complex has been mostly reconstructed, but the overall architectural style remains intact. Shushan Ancient South Street: Turn right out of Dongpo Academy and follow the path. When you see the pottery kiln chimney, you've arrived at the entrance to Ancient South Street. Situated along the Li River, it has been a major distribution center for Yixing ceramics since the Ming and Qing dynasties and is also the birthplace of purple clay culture. Factory No. 2: Cross the Li River Bridge at the entrance of Ancient South Street, turn left, and walk about 500 meters along the riverside road to reach the main gate. It's a cultural and creative park converted from an old factory and is also a popular spot in Yixing. The uniquely shaped Ceramics Art Museum within the park is perfect for taking photos from every angle. It's a building you'll fall in love with at first sight. Dongpo Pavilion: A replica of an ancient building, it serves as an exhibition hall commemorating Su Dongpo, introducing his life and his connection to Yixing. The most eye-catching feature is the rainbow bridge in front of the pavilion, which is extremely photogenic. Gantian Reservoir: "When plum blossoms fade, a hundred flowers bloom, but you, my friend, have yet to come." Here, you'll find a 1,000-mu plum blossom field facing a pool of clear water and backed by rolling mountains. It's the perfect place to enjoy plum blossoms and the arrival of spring. The only drawback is the limited variety of plum blossoms, with only white and pink, but the sheer scale of the blossoms makes up for it.

Yixing is a famous pottery capital, and Dingshu Town at the foot of Shushan Mountain was the main distribution center for Yixing ceramics during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, as well as the birthplace of Zisha culture. Those who love Zisha culture must visit this town. There are three places worth visiting here. The first is the Ertao Factory Cultural and Creative Park (Photos 1–7), where the old Zisha factory is combined with modern art, and market activities are held from time to time. Particularly stunning is the "Pottery Museum" designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The building is shaped like undulating mountains, inspired by the famous Shushan Mountain, and the building materials are made of pottery clay. The special pottery tiles used on the exterior wall are fired at high temperatures, creating subtle concave and convex textures and color layers on the surface, presenting a unique "kiln change" color effect. The second is Shushan Ancient South Street (Photos 8–15), the first batch of ancient building protection units in Jiangsu Province, and the once bustling "Zisha Street", where more than half of the residents were engaged in Zisha production and business. Now, many elegant teapot shops and art studios have opened, where visitors can choose their favorite Zisha tea sets or experience the fun of DIY teapots. The third is Dongpo Academy (Photos 16–20). According to historical records, the building was built in the Northern Song Dynasty. Although it has experienced more than 800 years of vicissitudes, generations of local people have valued culture and education, raised funds, and carefully repaired it, so it is still well preserved. It is also an important place for visitors to learn about Su Dongpo's life and literary achievements. Travel tips: Address: Shushan Street, Dingshu Town, Yixing City Transportation: Take Bus 23 to Shushan Community Station, walk 573 meters to Ertao Factory; take Bus 153 or 157 to Zisha Craft Factory Station, walk 153 meters to Ertao Factory. Tickets: Free Recommended tour order: Ertao Factory - Shushan Ancient South Street - Dongpo Academy. Ertao Factory is not far from Ancient South Street and Dongpo Academy, just a few hundred meters away on foot. If you have enough time, you can also visit the Yixing Zisha Museum (Photo 4) in the Ertao Factory Cultural and Creative Park and Xiansheng Zen Temple behind Dongpo Academy.

[Sakura] Mr. Dongpo once said: "I will buy land in Yangxian when I am old, because I love the mountains and rivers." This poem adds a leisurely atmosphere to the small purple sand city of Yixing, which makes people yearn for it. [Star] Check-in attractions [RoundNails] Pottery Factory No. 2 Go directly to "Pottery Factory No. 2" by navigating, it is at the intersection of Dongpo East Road and Shushan Street, there are a lot of free parking spaces on the roadside This is an art district rebuilt from the 40-year-old Zisha Factory No. 2, the strong atmosphere of pottery culture is intoxicating! The occasional handicraft fairs are lively and fun! The Tao Art Museum next door was designed by the famous architect Kengo Kuma. Its unique ceramic facade is a great place for taking photos and checking in. [RoundNails] Shushan Gunan Street P Free parking is also available, which is very considerate! Gunan Street was once the main distribution center of Yixing ceramics during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it still retains the quaint streets and pottery studios. Walking through it, it seems as if you have traveled back to the prosperous era of ceramics. You can slowly savor the fragrance of tea and feel the infinite charm of ceramics. [RoundNails] Dongpo Academy The elegant atmosphere here and the unique artistic and tranquil artistic conception allow you to capture a beautiful frame with your camera at hand. I have different feelings every time I come here, and I have unexpected gains every time. It is really a treasure place worth coming again and again~ [RoundNails] Yixing Jingtao Co., Ltd. The navigation goes directly to "Jiangsu Yixing Jingtao Co., Ltd.", free parking in the factory, super convenient! Good news for kitchenware lovers! There are many good-looking pots, pans, and utensils here, with affordable prices and high quality. Factory direct sales, so you can easily take it home, no longer have to worry about not being able to find the kitchenware you like [RoundNails] Dajue Temple Navigation "Foguang Zuting Dajue Temple", there is a free parking lot at the door, super considerate! The temple founded by Master Hsing Yun is known as the "Potala Palace of Jiangnan". The building is magnificent and breathtaking! The art gallery in the palace is worth a visit, it will definitely open your eyes [RoundNails] Dongpo Pavilion Navigate to "Dongpo Pavilion", the parking fee is only 5 yuan/car, super affordable! In the evening, the evening breeze and sunset glow on the Dongpo Pavilion complement each other, creating a breathtaking beauty. Dongpo Pavilion is even more spectacular after lighting up, and it is definitely not to be missed. ⚠️tips1: The scenic spots are not far apart, and it takes about half an hour to drive. It is recommended to drive by yourself. ⚠️tips2: The scenic spots are basically free, only the bamboo sea costs 80, buy 70 online in advance

|Follow the Thousand-Year-Old Legacy of Su Dongpo—Dongpo Academy. Located by Shushan Mountain and Lihe River, Dongpo Academy stands quietly in a corner of Dingshu, guarding the cultural heritage of Dingshu for thousands of years. As you step inside, you will find lush forests and bamboo groves, stone bridges and water, and a gentle breeze conveying the cultural interest of Su Dongpo. ❤Historical Background: Dongpo Academy was built in the Northern Song Dynasty and has a history of over 850 years. It is closely related to Su Dongpo, a great writer of the Song Dynasty. Su Dongpo was a talented writer and painter whose poems and essays have been passed down through the ages and are highly respected by later generations. Su Dongpo had a deep connection with Yixing. It was a pure land he chose to "heal" after being exiled several times, and it was also the place he often praised in his poems. He visited Yixing many times and left behind precious cultural relics. 🌟Highlights: Whether "in the high halls of the temple" or "in the distant rivers and lakes," every line of Su Dongpo's poems is filled with deep friendship. In the "Ties with Yangxian" exhibition hall, modern AI technology takes you back to the era of Su Dongpo a thousand years ago, where you can listen to his inseparable connection with Yixing. Immerse yourself in the "Long Poetry" check-in space, learn about Su Dongpo's culture, recite his poems, and unlock a different kind of Su-style romance. 👍Most Recommended: Stroll through Dongpo's study, where the sound of reading fills the air; observe the archives, where ancient books reflect in your heart. "The Legacy of Dongpo," the spirit of Shu for a thousand years. ✅Must Experience: The Dongpo Academy Cultural and Creative Store promotes inheritance and innovation through cultural space creation. It transforms the spiritual connotation of Su Dongpo into the cultural consciousness of generations of Dingshu people, achieving the grand proposition of Su Dongpo's cultural inheritance "from small to large." 📝Photography Tips: [One] You can take a frontal or side shot of the grand and magnificent gate of Dongpo Academy. [Two] You can zoom in on the bronze rings and horizontal plaques on the gate for close-up shots. [Three] If you want to take a portrait, you can place your hand on the door handle, look to one side, and take a side shot. The lush trees of Dongpo Academy seem to be unrelated to all the hustle and bustle. The scholarly atmosphere of this pure land seems to slow down time. Every plant and tree here is worth photographing and recording. Come to Dongpo Academy and take a walk to experience the leisurely time!

There is a reason why Yixing No. 2 Ceramic Factory is so popular! It’s really great to shoot! Good looking and good film! : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Take your kids out for a walk during the summer vacation! Listen to me! Come to Yixing! You can’t go wrong Halo, I’m hahaya! Just because of Mr. Dongpo's words "I will buy land in Yangxian when I am old, from the beginning I just love the mountains and rivers" This small town, famous for its purple sand, has become even more fascinating! This weekend, we took our kids on a reverse tour to Yixing, Jiangsu, the ceramic capital! It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to drive in Gongshu District, Hangzhou, and the highway toll is less than 40 yuan Tour route: Tao Erchang Shushan Gunan Street Dongpo Academy Fine Pottery Company Dajue Temple Yangxian Lake Dongpo Pavilion Pottery Factory No.2 Navigate to "Tao Erchang", the southeast intersection of Dongpo East Road and Shushan Street, there are marked parking spaces on the roadside, parking is free It was rebuilt from the 40-year-old Zisha Second Factory. There is also a handicraft market occasionally. The Tao Art Museum next to it was designed by architect Kengo Kuma. The facade is a blockbuster in every minute. 2 Shushan Gunan Street P There are marked parking spaces on the roadside, free parking (within walking distance from Tao Erchang) This is the birthplace of Yixing purple clay and the main distribution center for Yixing ceramics during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Now there are many pottery studios and sand pot merchants on the ancient street. The commercial atmosphere is not strong, very leisurely 3Dongpo Academy It is very close to Gunan Street and can be reached on foot. The place is under renovation recently so I missed the chance to see Mr. Dongpo's bookish atmosphere. Friends who are going there in the future can go and have a look~ 4Jiangsu Yixing Jingtao Co., Ltd. Navigate to "Jiangsu Yixing Jingtao Co., Ltd." and you can park for free in the factory. A paradise for kitchenware lovers, with a variety of high-value pots, pans, and bowls. The factory is behind it. Good quality and low price, you can get a lot of them for just a few dozen dollars Dajue Temple 5 Navigate to "Fo Guang Zu Ting Da Jue Temple", there is a free parking lot at the door. The temple built by Master Hsing Yun is known as the "Potala of Jiangnan"! The architecture is stunning, there is an art gallery in the temple, and you can also hand-copy Buddhist scriptures. Dongpo Pavilion Navigate to "Dongpo Pavilion", parking is 5 yuan/car The third recommendation is to go in the evening. The evening breeze on Dongpo Pavilion accompanied by the sunset glow is very pleasant, and it is particularly magnificent after the lights are turned on! gourmet food: Yixing specialty: black rice! (Highly recommended! A must-order every time!), Fish head pot, steamed chicken, wild onion fried rice, Zhanggong tofu... Travel tips: It is recommended to travel by car. Yixing has good road conditions and many parking lots are free. It is convenient to travel to scenic spots without wasting time. There are many purple clay teapot hand-made experiences on Gunan Street. You need to reserve 1h+ for the test. When traveling in summer, you must do a good job of drying and repelling mosquitoes~

When I first arrived in Yixing, Jiangsu, it rained. The whole town is as quiet and warm as "Zisha". So, I walked from the rain alley into this long-awaited town. ✨Yixing two-day tour route: D1⃣: Shushan Ancient South Street ➡ Dongpo Academy ➡ Tao Erchang ➡-Dongpo Pavilion night view; D2⃣: Dongpo Pavilion➡Dajue Temple➡Ceramic Museum➡Return · 📍Shushan Gunan Street 🆓 🕒Opening hours: All day 🎫Tickets: Free The bluestone pavement, white walls and black tiles are full of fireworks, surrounded by mountains and rivers, and there are many literary and artistic shops worth checking in 📷 There are purple sand shops all over the street, 🉑 slowly looking for suitable small items · 📍Dongpo Academy 🎫Tickets: Free 🅿Parking: Free It was first built in the Northern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 800 years. Its predecessor was "Dongpo Thatched Cottage". Su Shi bought land and built a house on the southern foot of Shu Mountain, planning to spend his old age in Yangxian. If you bring your kids to Yixing, you must not miss this place · 📍Yixing Pottery Factory No.2 🎫Tickets: Free 🅿Parking:🆓Underground garage It is really attractive! Especially the unique architectural style As expected, it is designed by the master Kengo Kuma The wide angle is so stunning. There are interesting markets during the holidays! · 📍Dongpo Pavilion "I will buy land in Yangxian when I am old, just for the good mountains and rivers." The Song-style building built in memory of Mr. Dongpo stands on the peaks of the town with flying eaves and beams. Climb up to Dongpo Pavilion to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the stream and mountains, the rippling waves of Yangxian Lake, and the bamboo sea in the distant village. · 📍Dajue Temple 🎫Tickets: Free 🅿Parking: Free It has a history of more than 700 years, with golden roofs, white walls, and layered architecture, and is known as the Little Potala Palace. There are not many pilgrims and tourists here, so you can find a quiet place when you stroll through it. The Ten Elements Noodles at the entrance of the temple are not to be missed. · This time in Yixing, I stayed at Yangxian Longyinxishan, a five-minute walk from Dongpo Pavilion. · 💃🏻Nearby Attractions: Longbeishan Forest Park, Dingshan Small Great Wall, Yixing Bamboo Sea… · 💡Tips: ✔Dongpo Academy is next to Gunan Street, just a five-minute walk away. The scenic spot is under renovation recently, so if you want to go there, please consult the scenic spot in advance. ✔Gu Nan Street is not crowded at night, and the shops close very early. Go early if you want to buy purple clay items. ✔The transportation between the scenic spots is not very convenient. 🚗It is much more convenient to drive by yourself. Parking is basically free. It is very convenient to stop whenever you want to travel.

This is the place where Su Dongpo bought land and built rooms, located at No. 174 Dongpo Road, Yixing City, Wuxi City. It is where he taught and lived. Mr. Su Shi once regarded this place as his second hometown, and it is a key cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province. Dongpo Academy, also known as 'Dongpo Ancestral Hall' or 'Shushan Academy', was founded in the Northern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 850 years. In September of the seventh year of Yuanfeng in the Northern Song Dynasty (1084), Su Dongpo arrived in Yixing. He had a fond attachment to the landscapes of Yangxian and wished to 'buy a garden, plant 300 citrus trees, and spend his later years there'. To commemorate him, later generations built the Dongpo Academy at the place where he taught.

Dongpo Academy has a long history, preserving cultural relics and documents from Dongpo's residence in Danzhou. The overall layout of the academy is harmonious, serving both as a classroom for promoting ancient cultural heritage and patriotism education, and as a base for conducting scientific research.

Leaving Yangzhou the day before Qingming Festival, it took 2 hours and 20 minutes to drive to Yixing's Yangxian Dongpo Pavilion. The night view was quite nice, and the place was relatively secluded with few people around. Not far away is Yangxian Town, where many shops were closed that day, making it rather quiet. The next morning, we went to Yixing National Forest Park. The online ticket price was 39.5 yuan, including a free bamboo shoot digging experience. The same price applies for anyone over 1.5 meters tall. Yixing National Forest Park is located at the junction of Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang provinces, with a forest coverage rate of 92%, fresh air, and not many people around at 8:30 in the morning. The kids played real-life CS, 38 yuan per person for half an hour, and the two brothers had the field to themselves, having a blast! Then we went to dig bamboo shoots, and there were so many! We dug up four. Three yuan per jin. Walking further in, we saw cute squirrels, beautiful cherry blossom woods, and a non-powered amusement park. A park worth visiting! We went back to the homestay for a rest and lunch, then visited the China Yixing Purple Clay Museum, which costs 5 yuan for adults, 2.5 yuan for children over 1.4 meters (half price), and free for those under 1.4 meters. There were ancient pottery galleries, modern purple clay galleries, and various exquisite ceramic products from home and abroad, which were lifelike and beautiful. There was also an exhibition hall for Gu Jingzhou, a master of purple clay. Quite interesting, and we spent an hour and a half there. At four o'clock, we went to the Ding Mountain Mini Great Wall (free). There were many cars and people, and we were stuck for twenty minutes. We slowly drove up the mountain, which was a bit difficult due to the winding mountain road, not recommended for novice drivers. We climbed up from the left side of the temple, and it took half an hour to come down from the city wall without any rest in between! It was quite tiring! We stayed in the city that night, and the next morning we had Zhou Zhen wontons, which were really popular and indeed delicious. The soup was made from bone broth, without any fishy taste, savory! Twenty wontons for ten yuan, two bowls were just right for three people, and we also bought ten potstickers for twenty yuan, which were not as tasty as the wontons. The last stop was Dongpo Academy (free). It introduced Su Dongpo's life in Yixing during his later years, and the main hall houses the largest purple clay statue of Su Dongpo in the country. We ended our trip and returned to Yangzhou! This was my third visit to Yixing, and I really like this city. No wonder Su Dongpo said, 'I will grow old in Yangxian, for I have always been fond of its streams and mountains.' With its mountains and waters, tea gardens and bamboo forests, the natural scenery is beautiful, and the exquisite pottery and porcelain are not inferior to those of Jingdezhen. It's not overcrowded, making it a great place to relax! On the day we returned home, we peeled the bamboo shoots and made braised pork, which was so delicious I couldn't stop eating. The shoots were tender and even a bit sweet! If I had known, I would have dug more, haha😄!

Yixing is not only famous for its purple clay teapots during a 2-day and 1-night trip, but also has 7️⃣ little-known secret spots!||| What charm does the city of Yixing have that made Mr. Su Dongpo stop by? After spending two days and one night, I explored this small city known for its purple clay teapots! . 🔶Tour route: Dongpo Academy—Shushan Nangu Street—Tao Factory No. 2—Dachao Mountain Mini Great Wall—Dongpo Pavilion—Yangxian Lake—Twenty-three Bays . 🅿️1⃣️: Navigate to "Dongpo Academy" Originally named "Dongpo Thatched Cottage" and built during the Song Dynasty, it has been reconstructed through the dynasties and now serves as a local primary school. Of course, its landscape and architecture also attract many tourists! . 🅿️2⃣️-3⃣️: Navigate to "Dingshan Mini Great Wall/Fuyuan Zen Temple" Who would have thought that a mini Great Wall is hidden in a small city in Jiangsu, and it's a free attraction where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Tai Lake from the heights! . 🅿️4⃣️: Navigate to "Tao Factory No. 2" A newly established cultural and creative park in Yixing, which is not yet fully constructed, but inside it hides a building designed by the master architect Kengo Kuma! . 🅿️5⃣️: Navigate to "Dongpo Pavilion" An imitation ancient building constructed on Yangxian Creek Mountain in the future to commemorate Mr. Dongpo, it is also considered one of the landmarks of Yixing! . 🅿️6️⃣: Navigate to "Shushan Nangu Street" Just a few hundred meters away from Dongpo Academy, there is a century-old street in Yixing famous for its purple clay teapots, with an ancient and artistic atmosphere, very literary and photogenic! . 🅿️7️⃣: Navigate to "Yangxian Lake" There is a small town by Yangxian Lake, where the gardens and buildings are like a small town in the south of the Yangtze River! . 🅿️8️⃣: Navigate to "Yixing Lake Father Twenty-three Bays" A lesser-known hiking trail in Yixing, named Twenty-three Bays because there are twenty-three turns on the way up the mountain. . 🏠About·Accommodation For accommodation, I chose to stay at Twenty-three Bays, next to the Tingjian·Twenty-three Bays Rock Wall Private Bath Design Homestay. The entire homestay is like a cave secret spot, built along the mountain wall, very mysterious and photogenic! Moreover, the homestay comes with a private bath♨️, and the area feels like it's deep inside a cave!!! In addition to the private bath♨️, the public area of the homestay is equipped with an open-air cinema, tea room, underground bar, billiard room, and a coffee shop with its own reading space, fully satisfying guests' leisure and entertainment experience!