Qiongtai Academy
Built in the Kangxi era of the Qing dynasty (1714), the setting of the story behind the Cantonese opera "Sou Shu Yuan" (Searching the Academy, with Xie Bao as headmaster), Kuixing Tower
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 08:30-17:00
- Ticket
- Free
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
Built in the Kangxi era of the Qing dynasty (1714), the setting of the story behind the Cantonese opera "Sou Shu Yuan" (Searching the Academy, with Xie Bao as headmaster) and home to Kuixing Tower; the historic and cultural heart of Fucheng. Founded in the 42nd year of the Kangxi reign (1714) by Qiongzhou Prefecture and named in honor of Qiongtai master Qiu Jun, it was Hainan's highest seat of learning in the Qing dynasty, nurturing countless talents over more than 200 years. The story of headmaster Xie Bao, who outwitted the Daotai (circuit intendant) to rescue a maidservant during the Yongzheng reign, was adapted into the Cantonese opera "Sou Shu Yuan" (Searching the Academy), and the opera's popularity made the academy famous across Guangdong and Guangxi; the surviving two-story wooden Kuixing Tower offers a view over Fucheng's old streets from its top. The Fucheng area where the academy stands has been the seat of Qiongzhou Prefecture since the Tang dynasty, and together with the Temple of the Five Lords (Wugong Ci) and the Former Residence of Qiu Jun it can be linked into a "Fucheng heritage half-day route".
Getting there: Fucheng area
Photos
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