Donglin Academy(Eastern Grove Academy)

ycjg

5.0/5

Outstanding

On a bright and sunny spring morning, I took the subway to Donglin Square Station in Wuxi. Exiting from Exit 1, I crossed the street and walked a hundred meters to reach the main gate of Donglin Academy. After waiting for about ten minutes, I entered the academy at 9:00 AM sharp. The academy was originally built in the Northern Song Dynasty and rebuilt during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty with funds raised by Gu Xiancheng and others. This was the academy's golden age. Strolling through the stone archway, the Pan Pond, Yiyong Hall, and Lizhe Hall, among other Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, I was struck by their simple and dignified beauty. The pavilions, towers, and long corridors in the western garden were quiet and elegant. I could almost hear the students reciting their lessons. The famous couplet in Yiyong Hall, "The sound of wind, the sound of rain, the sound of reading—all sounds enter the ear; family affairs, national affairs, world affairs—all are of concern," further conveyed the broad-mindedness of the students of yesteryear. Coming here, my restless heart was soothed; it was truly a good place for tranquility. Donglin Academy, after a comprehensive renovation in 2002, reopened to the public and is now a national key cultural relics protection unit and a national 4A-level scenic spot. Those who are interested can visit the scenic area, which is very convenient to get to, as there are subway lines directly connecting Wuxi Station and East Station.