Architectural features of traditional academies in ancient China

    The name "书院" first appeared in the Tang Dynasty, which was evolved from the study and the government's yamen for sorting out ancient books, thus determining the dual character of academy, namely the official character and the folk character.
    In the late Tang Dynasty, the function of private academies began to change, gradually evolving from individual libraries to places for teachers and apprentices to give lectures. The society of the Song Dynasty was relatively stable, but the Northern Song Dynasty did not develop education on a large scale, but unilaterally developed the imperial examination system and expanded the number of admissions. As a result, official schools were not revived, and scholars were more motivated to study, which promoted the prosperity of private schools and the development of academies to a prosperous stage.

    The academy architecture reflects the ideal educational mode and thought of Confucianism in all aspects, and the site selection of the academy is very particular. The ideal place for ancient Chinese to read books was the lush forest and bamboo cultivation. The environment was quiet among the mountains and forests. The academies should also focus on managing the surrounding environment. For example, the Yuelu Academy in Changsha is not only located at the foot of the beautiful Yuelu mountain, but also digging ditches and ponds around the academy. Academy of spring people garden, planting trees and flowers, the formation of four seasons. Besides, gardens will be built in the academy.

                           
    The buildings of the academy generally include lecture halls, accommodation and self-study rooms, library buildings, and special shrines for worship, etc. The lecture hall is in the center of the college. In front of the lecture hall, there are rows of dormitories on both sides, which are places for students to live and study. At ordinary times, students spend most of their time reading and researching by themselves, and teachers give lectures to students irregularly. There is no fixed seat when the lecture, the teacher sat in the hall, students in twos and threes free to sit next to the lecture. The inner valley of the lecture is also relatively free, not scripted, but freely lecturing, questioning and debating each other.

                       
    The educational mode of ancient Chinese academies was flexible and free, especially the high-level academies, which were equivalent to today's universities or institutes. There was a very liberal teaching style, no fixed teaching hours, no fixed class size.