Donglin Academy
东林书院
The birthplace of the late-Ming Donglin faction, where Gu Xiancheng's famous couplet 'The sound of wind and rain, the sound of reading, enters the ear at every turn' hangs. Admission is free.
Donglin Academy is located on Jiefang East Road in central Wuxi. The Neo-Confucian scholar Yang Shi lectured here during the Zhenghe era of the Northern Song dynasty. In 1604, the 32nd year of the Wanli era, Gu Xiancheng, Gao Panlong and others rebuilt it and resumed lectures, debating state affairs and forming the 'Donglin Party', which influenced late-Ming politics. The academy retains a stone memorial archway, a pond, Lize Hall, Yiyong Hall and Daonan Shrine. Hanging in Yiyong Hall is the famous couplet written by Gu Xiancheng: 'The sound of wind and rain, the sound of reading, enters the ear at every turn; family affairs and national affairs, all the affairs of the world, all concern my heart.' The academy is modest in size and quiet. Admission is free (subject to official notices), and it may be closed on Mondays. It is not far from Nanchang Street and Qingming Bridge, and can be combined with Xiaolou Lane and Chongan Temple for a half-day walk around the city.
Opening hours
Tuesday–Sunday 08:30–16:30 (check official notices)
Nearby sights
- Xiaolou Lane
- Nanchang Street & Qingming Bridge
- Former Residence of Xue Fucheng
- Wuxi Museum
- Jichang Garden
- Huishan Ancient Town
- Wuxi Zoo & Taihu Happy Park
- Li Garden (Liyuan)