Longzhong Academy, nestled in the ancient Longzhong area of Xiangyang, was where Zhuge Liang studied and cultivated his scholarship during his youth. The current architectural complex primarily reflects Ming- and Qing-dynasty styles, with its grey-tiled roofs and blue-brick walls embodying a scholarly tradition spanning over a thousand years. At the heart of the academy stands the "Thatched Cottage," a reconstructed ancient-style building roofed with straw. Within its courtyard grows an ancient cypress tree, its gnarled branches lush and green—legend claims it was planted by Zhuge Liang himself over a millennium ago. Faint carvings of the phrase "Simplicity reveals one's aspirations" (Danbo Mingzhi) can still be discerned on its weathered bark.
The stele forest features a particularly striking inscription of Zhuge Liang’s "Admonitions to My Son" (Jie Zi Shu)—his final words of paternal instruction, written shortly before his death. Its bold, vigorous characters continue to be revered by countless parents as a timeless moral guide. Nearby, the "Hall of Three Visits" vividly recreates the historic scene of Liu Bei’s three visits to Zhuge Liang’s thatched cottage, with lifelike clay figures capturing the pivotal moment of their famed "Longzhong Dialogue."
The academy’s garden artfully integrates with the natural terrain; winding paths lead to secluded spots such as the "Embracing-Knee Pavilion" and the "Star-Gazing Platform," subtly echoing Zhuge Liang’s wisdom of "observing celestial signs to understand human affairs." As a vital vessel of Three Kingdoms culture, this site not only served as the birthplace of Zhuge Liang’s political philosophy but also embodies enduring ideals of traditional Chinese education. It was here that Liu Bei—the founding emperor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period—held marathon discussions with Zhuge Liang through the night, and where the Eastern Han recluse scholar Sima Hui once lectured. These historical imprints transform the academy into a spiritual bridge connecting past and present. Strolling through its grounds, one can almost hear the resonant recitations of the "Admonitions to My Son" echoing across time, and feel the timeless wisdom of Zhuge Liang’s words: "Without detachment, one cannot clarify one’s aspirations; without tranquility, one cannot reach far.
