Yan Zi Academy in Fengxian, Shanghai
During the recent Labour Day holiday, I visited this place, Yanzi Academy. Although it is in a very remote suburb of Shanghai, the building is stunning. It was selected as one of ArchDaily China's Top 10 Buildings in 2024.
Yanzi Academy is a cultural exhibition building with multiple functions. As part of the Fengxian District Museum, its main functions include museum exhibitions, teaching, and academic communication.
"Yan Zi" was Yan Yan (言偃), styled Zi You(子游), one of Confucius' seventy-two distinguished disciples. He was originally from the State of Wu and was forty-five years younger than Confucius. In his early years, he studied under Confucius, and later served as an official in Wucheng, becoming known for educating the people through rites and music. Yan Zi once widely accepted disciples in Fengxian to teach Confucianism, educating the common people and enlightening the local populace.