Chongming Academy is one of the only existing academies in Shanghai. Chongming Academy today is also known as Chongming Museum. It is a city-level heritage conservation unit.

Go out of Nanmen Port of Chongming Island, continue walking 200 to 300 meters, and people will see layers of ancient architectural complex. This is Chongming Academy. There are two decorated archways consisting of 2 stone pillars, seeming simple and solemn. There are eight characters on them, saying "De Pei Tian Di, Dao Guan Gu Jin" (meaning the morality is as high as heaven, the doctrines are the best in the past and now). In front of the gate, there are two maidenhair trees, both with a history of 350 years. They are so thick that three people have to  get each other's arms around to round the tree. Two big stone lions are guarding at the gate, dignified.

The largest building in Chongming Academy is Da Cheng Dian (Hall of Great Achievement). Its role is like the Da Xiong Bao Dian (the Great Buddha's Hall) in the temples. This is where Confucius is enshrined. East Wu (rooms at the sides of or facing the principal rooms) and West Wu are the dormitory of the 72 outstanding disciples. Today, Da Cheng Dian (Hall of Great Achievement) is temporarily used to be the exhibition room of ancient ships. East Wu is the exhibition room for photos and stories of aome celebrities in Chongming, and some ancient wares unearthed in Chongming. And West Wu today is Huang Pimo art gallery.

Another two buildings behind Da Cheng Dian (Hall of Great Achievement) are exhibition halls of folk-customs in Chongming. Besides, there are architectures like palace walls measuring ten thousand ren (an ancient measure of length equal to seven or eight chi, about 2.33 meters to 2.67 meters) in length, Ling Xing Gate, Deng Yun Bridge, Jimen Gate, Ming Huan Temple, Chong Sheng Temple, Zun Jing Pacvilion and son on. These are all well-preserved architectures of Ming Dynasty in Shanghai. In front of the gate, there are five 18-meter tall maidenhair trees, all having a history of 377 years. They are in harmony with the 2 uniquely-designed wooden and stone memorial arches, making a strong sense of ancient elegance. Seeing this, tourists can have s better understanding of the vastness of the universe.

There are three parts of the exhibition in the museum, including "Formation and Development of Chongming Island", "Historic and Cultural Relics in the Museum" and "Natural Museum". These three parts introduce the long history and rich cultural heritage of Chongming Island systematically. The most distinctive parts in Chongming Academy are the exhibition room of ancient ships and halls of folk-customs in Chongming.

How to Get There:

First, tourists can take Tourism Line 5, Tourism Line 51, Tourism Line 116, Tourism Line 522, Tourism Line 728, Tourism Line 848, Tourism Line 849, or Port Line to Wu Song Port. Or, they can take Tourism Line, Tourism Line 5, Tourism Line 51, Tourism Line 207, Tourism Line 508, Tourism Line 541, Tourism Line 728, Line Pengjiang, or Port Line to Bao Yang Road Port. And then, they can take a ship and go to Nanmen Port of Chongming Island.

Inquiry Phone Number: 021-59623827.

Ticket Price: 10 RMB.

Open Hour: 8;00 - 16;00 (Chongming Academy is not open on Monday).