Ancient academies thrive, as new generation's interest revived(3)

Tourists wearing ancient costumes visit Bailudong Academy on Jan 21. (ZHAO RUINAN/CHINA DAILY)

Building on legacy

In ancient times, academies served as spiritual homes for scholars. In the past decade or so, amid the revival of traditional Chinese culture, these academies, which have seen their share of ups and downs, have begun to thrive once more.

For instance, Bailudong Academy regularly hosts various activities, carrying on the cultural heritage.

It conducts educational activities in the ancient place, allowing students to experience Chinese calligraphy rubbings, pitching pots, painting fans, and archery in traditional Chinese classrooms, according to Guo.

Around 50,000 students like Wang visit Bailudong Academy for study trips each year.

In 2018, Bailudong Academy was awarded the title of National Primary and Secondary School Study Practice Education Base by the Ministry of Education.

"As a national cultural heritage site, the 8,000-square-meter ruins of Bailudong Academy lack proper facilities for university teaching, research activities, and accommodations. Therefore, visitors could only tour the site in the past," said Yang.

"But in the last two years, we have expanded the surrounding gardens of the academy, creating multiple tourist trails inside the institution, allowing people to experience the mindset of ancient scholars who 'learned while traveling'."

Recently, Lushan city reached an agreement for campus cooperation with Nanchang University and Jiujiang University. The two universities plan to collaborate with Bailudong Academy to revive the academy's educational tradition.

"On one hand, we will bring university courses to the academy. On the other hand, we are preparing for the construction of the Jiujiang College-Bailudong Academy campus. In the future, students from certain majors or colleges will be able to live and study at Bailudong Academy," said Yang.

Bailudong Academy is also making efforts in promoting traditional Chinese culture globally.

Guo said that the academy regularly has exchanges of experts and scholars with foreign universities, who engage in cultural exchanges and learning.

"We also host international academic seminars, inviting scholars from different countries and regions for study and exchanges. Although Bailudong Academy no longer has a teaching function like in ancient times, academic and cultural exchanges and cooperation will continue."