Yuelu Hill Park in Changsha, Hunan Province
Yuelu Hill Park (Yuelu Shan gongyuan) lies on the western banks of the Xiang River (Xiang jiang) and is one of Changsha's most historic spots. The area is most notable for its academic establishments, and conveniently history has not been forsaken by the Hunan University (Hunan daxue) that now takes up a part of the park.
The hill rises to a height of around 300 meters above sea level, and the park covers an area of 500 hectares.
The most famous academic establishment here was the Yuelu Academy (Yuelu shuyuan), a Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) institution that was designed to train scholars for the civil examinations. The Academy was built in 976 AD, and was named by King Zheng of the Northern Song Dynasty in 1015.
The area, around 25,000 square meters, where this academy once stood now holds a Hexi Altar, a Classroom, the King's Book Pavilion, the Wen Temple and Gardens, although only one Stele is originally Song.