Zhen Wen Academy 振文書院

5/3/2024

Zhenwen Academy (aka Jhen Wen Academy or Chenwen Academy) is a Qing Dynasty Civil Servant Academy in Xiluo Township of Yunlin dating back to the 1700s, and the only such Academy in Yunlin County that has survived to the current day. It now sits as a cultural and historical landmark, alongside with Nantian Academy-Yide Branch. It is important to the local people as a religious and scholarly site, especially for local students. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yunlin.

Historical Background:
Before Han Chinese settlement, Xiluo was inhabited by native peoples. During the Kingdom of Tungming after Koxinga's conquest of Taiwan from the Dutch, the first Chinese farmers began to settle here due to the fertile land and mild climate. At the time it was situated in the middle of two other settlements: Lukang and Beigang.
The original name for Xiluo was Luoyang (螺陽).

Zhen Wen Academy 振文書院
In 1797, a group of respected individuals from Xiluo, led by Liao Chenghe, contributed funds to construct the Temple of Wenchang Emperor which acted as a precursor to Zhenwen Academy. This temple was also dedicated to Confucius and other revered figures. It wasn't until 1814 that the Zhenwen Academy was formally established.
Zhenwen Academy originally consisted of one hall, one courtyard, and six side corridors, but was later renovated and expanded
During the Japanese era, among various academies that existed in Yunlin during the Qing Dynasty, including Longmen, Kuiwen, and Xiuwen, Zhenwen Academy was the only one that endured.
After WWII, the academy was registered as a third-class historical site in 1985.
However, in 1986, it suffered damage during Typhoon Wayne. Restoration efforts commenced in July 1987.
Following the 921 earthquake on September 21st, 1999, the building was damaged and further restoration work was needed. The academy reopened in 2004.

Nantian Academy-Yide Branch 南天修文院懿德分院
Nantian Academy Yide Branch, formerly known as Yide Hall, can be traced back to the initiative of the late Liu Wan, a distinguished individual in Xiluo Town. In the autumn of 1934, Liu Wan rallied local leaders to establish this institution, situated east of Zhenwen Academy. Its founding mission was to promote Confucianism and celebrate Chinese cultural traditions, advocating for a virtuous society. Despite facing threats of demolition by the Japanese during WWII, the hall suspended activities during the war.
After WWII, the hall resumed activities and underwent further expansion. In July 1970, the "Three Graces," 三恩主 (Sān Ēn Zhǔ) namely Guan Yu, Lu Dongbin, and Siming Zhaoyun, who were revered as saints, and Wenchang Emperor 文衡聖帝 (Wén Héng Shèng Dì), were enshrined at Yide Hall. Subsequently, in 1971, Yide Hall was renovated and officially renamed as Nantian Academy Yide Branch.
Following the renovation of Yide Branch into a two-story palace building, the upper hall housed the Three Graces, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Cheng Huangye, and Tudigong. The lower hall was dedicated to the promotion of Confucianism.
Now, many local students frequent the lecture hall for study and review. The caretakers here also provide air conditioning and tea for the students.

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

Where to stay:
We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).
We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here)
Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Tours in Yunlin:
Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more.
You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here.

Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog.
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase.

How to get there:
By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go south to the Xiluo Great Bridge until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road.
Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. The Academy is then in walking distance.
You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook h ere.
You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here.
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here.

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have been to Zhenwen Academy once and I was very impressed. It is a very well kept complex, and is one of the most historically important buildings in Yunlin. It is a great place to learn more about Yunlin's history and also a great place to study if you are a student.

View of Zhenwen Academy and Nantian Academy Yide Branch from the road. They both sit right next to Zhongshan Elementary School in Xiluo.

View of Nantian Academy Yide Branch.
The overarching goal of Nantian Academy Yide Branch is to uphold pure customs and promote Confucian ideals. Two large stone steles inscribed with "Respect for the Sages" and "Solemn Respect" adorn the front yard.
For more history on this place, see our summary above. For the rest of the blog, we will focus on Zhenwen Academy.

Zhenwen Academy has the feel of a Confucius Temple, and likely served a similar purpose during the Qing Dynasty. The Civil Servant test was administered here and it was also a place of study.

View from the other side of the front gate, looking back from inside the main courtyard.

A furnace to the side used to burn ghost money.

The history of Jen-Wen School. See above for a summary of the history of the academy.

The main shrine at the academy.

Side building with bathroom.

View of the main shrine at the academy.

Side room shrine.

Wooden doors leading to a back courtyard.

View of the inner courtyard.

View looking the other way.

Small orchard in the courtyard.

View looking back behind the courtyard.

A huge ancient papaya tree.

Another side building.

View of the roof ornaments.

Ancient well dating to the Qing Dynasty.

View looking down the old well.

Another view from the main shrine.

View of the wooden ornamentation on the roof.

"世淑文弘" probably translates to "promoting noble culture and education."

"祖書秋千" literally translates to "ancestor's book swing" in English, which is a metaphor for knowledge, wisdom, or cultural heritage passed down through generations like swinging a swing.

Small side courtyard.

View looking back at the front gate.

Another view of the amazing woodwork.

Closer view of the ceiling work.

A stele made to donors after the renovation was completed in 1989.

The way they trim the plants here is really exquisite.

The shape of this tree is also very interesting.

Across the street is a park which is kind of an extension of the academy.

Just down the street you can also check out Xiluo Guangfu Temple dedicated to Mazu.

Xiluo Yanping Old Street 西螺延平老街大橋

You can also check out Xiluo Old Street which is right next door.
Yanping Old Street (aka Xiluo Old Street) is a well-preserved historical part of Xiluo Township of Yunlin County dating back to the Kingdom of Tungning, the Qing Dynasty, and the Japanese era of Taiwan. Here you can find historical landmarks as well as good food and cultural attractions. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yunlin...(read more)

Xiluo Bridge 西螺大橋

Also you check out Xiluo Great Bridge on the north side of Xiluo Town.
Xiluo Bridge (aka Xiluo Great Bridge) was once the second-longest bridge in the world and connects Yunlin County to Changhua County across the Zhuoshui River. Here you can also find a large public square and grassy park which is free for everyone to enjoy. It is one of Taiwan's historical landmarks that you should not miss...(read more)

Don't forget there are many other activities and places to see in Yunlin such as Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing, Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more.
You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here.

You can check out our full guide to Yunlin here.

You can also see our full guide to Taiwan here.