南海學宮

Did the walls of Nanhai Academy whisper secrets of rebellion? Let’s uncover the layered history of Nanhai Academy right here in Guangzhou. Nanhai Academy once held a prominent position in the city’s educational landscape. It stood alongside Guangya Academy and Yuexiu Academy as one of Guangzhou’s three major academies. Located near the Five Immortals Temple, east of Guangta Road, it was the Nanhai County academy. The academy’s main buildings stretched north to south, forming a courtyard. The western side bordered what are now sections of Chaoyang Road and Mi Temple Road. Nanhai Academy’s southern entrance faced the bustling Nanhai Street. The academy’s history stretches back to the Song Dynasty. Records show it was ravaged by fire and later rebuilt during the Yuan Dynasty in Gaodi Street. Further expansions took place during the Ming Dynasty under the Hongwu Emperor. The entrance was then reoriented to face south. In the Qing Dynasty, the academy suffered damage and was twice renovated during the Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns. The Jiaqing restoration was funded by Nanhai County magistrate Xie Shusheng and others. Following these repairs, the Nanhai County School was renamed Nanhai Academy. The late Qing Dynasty saw the introduction of new educational reforms. The academy transitioned into a modern school, incorporating Western-style teaching methods. Nanhai Middle School was established within the academy grounds in 1904. However, it soon relocated. During the Republican era, Nanhai Academy served as a military hospital. In 1921, during the second year of the Republic of China, the academy was occupied by troops. Students from the nearby primary and middle schools were unable to return to their classrooms. The county magistrate’s pleas to the commanding officer for the troops’ removal went unanswered. Eventually, with the help of Kong Zhaoqian and other members of Parliament, the troops finally withdrew. Nanhai Academy was occupied again in 1923, during the twelfth year of the Republic of China. This time, it was commandeered by the Guangzhou city mayor, despite its status as a Confucian temple and site for memorial services. This action sparked considerable resistance. In February 1931, a section of the back wall of Nanhai Academy collapsed. This wall, located near Baolinli, was two meters high. Luckily, the collapse occurred late at night, and no one was injured. However, it did disrupt traffic. Nanhai Academy, once a vibrant center of learning and tradition, was eventually demolished after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Sadly, no survey or documentation was undertaken before its demolition to preserve its historical and architectural details. A public security bureau building now stands on the site. Even though Nanhai Academy is gone, its story reminds us of Guangzhou’s rich and complex past.