Ming Chuan University Introduction
The academies in Taiwan were established gradually during the Qing Dynasty as local educational institutions. The Mingzhi Academy, located at the intersection of Mingzhi Road Section 2 and Xingsheng Road in Beitai, was donated by Hu Zhuoyou, a tribute student from Yongding, Fujian. At that time, the academy was quite large but was later relocated by the authorities to Hsinchu and renamed Xinzhuang Mountain Foot Yidian. Mingzhi Academy is the first academy in northern Taiwan, founded 70 years earlier than Wenhui Academy (Xuehai Academy) in Mengjia. The original Mingzhi Academy was quite spacious, featuring one entrance and five bays, with a total of 12 side rooms on both sides. After several renovations over the years, the academy is now surrounded by residential houses, leaving only the main hall and the two side rooms. Currently, the main hall enshrines the spirit tablet of "Ziyang Zhu Fuzi" and the "Tribute Student Hu Zhuoyou's Tablet," while the walls on both sides display the history and restoration process of the academy. Mingzhi Academy holds a significant position in the cultural and educational history of northern Taiwan. From Mingzhi Academy, a path paved with flagstones leads to Yixue Keng Natural Ecological Park, where one can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
