Discover Hengyang: Shigu Academy and Nanyue culture

For a cultural trip, two perspectives can be distinguished: Shigu Academy in central Hengyang and the temple heritage in the wider travel area of Hengyang City. The Academy represents a long history of education and a setting shaped by water, trees and buildings. Nanyue Temple is located in Nanyue District and adds religious architectural history and recurring folk customs to the city perspective. When looking for a hotel, this distinction can help you decide in advance what to focus on during your trip.

Shigu Academy: History of education and architecture

Shigu Academy was built in 810 AD and is one of the four major academies of ancient China. It is located in central Hengyang. Water surrounds the site on three sides; shady trees, pavilions and towers are also part of its character. A stone drum about two metres high is another distinctive feature.

The Academy’s sights include the Yu-Bi Pavilion complex, Wuhou Shrine, Li Zhongjie Shrine, Daguan Tower, Hejiang Pavilion, Zhuling Cave and rock inscriptions. Alongside its historical context, the site features a variety of architectural elements: pavilions and towers, shrines, a cave and inscriptions. If you are interested in cultural history, the Academy offers more than a single date, and its significance is not limited to one building.

Shigu Square also has its own distinctive design focus. Renovated in 2024, the square includes the “Shigu Jiangshan” memorial archway, a cultural and leisure corridor, sculptures of the Seven Sages and landscaped gardens. Its design therefore places different emphasis from the Academy’s historic buildings and inscriptions.

Cultural experiences and autumn views

The Wild Goose Culture Experience Hall concept presents wild goose culture using immersive technology, new media art and multimedia interaction. This approach differs from the historic buildings and offers another thematic perspective on a cultural trip.

In autumn, visitors climb Laiyan Tower to admire and photograph Hengyang’s natural scenery. This is a different time of year from the Nanyue Temple Fair, whose folk customs are tied to the beginning of the Lunar New Year.

Nanyue Temple and recurring folk customs

Nanyue Temple is located in Nanyue District, in the wider travel area of Hengyang City. Its history has two important dates: the original temple was built during the Sui dynasty (581–618), while the present temple dates from 1882. Over the course of its history, it was destroyed by fire six times and repaired or rebuilt 17 times during the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

The complex comprises ancestral temples, Buddhist temples, Taoist temples and imperial palaces. It is the largest group of ancient buildings in South China and in the area of the Five Great Mountains. Nanyue Temple was placed under state protection in 2006. Its different types of buildings and long periods of historical development offer several ways to understand the site.

The folk customs of the Nanyue Temple Fair in Nanyue District, in the wider travel area of Hengyang City, begin each year on the first day of the Lunar New Year and continue until the 15th day. Around the Great Temple, they include the Nanyue deity theatre, pilgrim songs and dances, and community activities such as riddles, chess and a night market. Activities and arrangements may vary, so check the dates and programme before your trip.

An official itinerary in Nanyue District connects Hongxing Village in Nanyue Town, the Great Temple of Mount Heng, Mount Heng, Zhurong Town and Huaxigu accommodation. If you plan to follow this itinerary, check in advance whether it is currently operating.

Consider the scope of your trip when searching for hotels

This helps you tailor your search to the destinations you actually plan to visit and keep the city and regional contexts distinct.

Discover more destinations: Changsha, Chenzhou, Yiyang, Loudi, Zhuzhou, Shaoyang, Zhangjiajie, Yueyang.

For the wider travel overview: Hunan.