Zhenwen Academy (Wen Temple) Introduction
The Zhenwen Academy, built in 1797, has its origins in the Wenchang Emperor Temple and was once a gathering place for literati and scholars to hold poetry clubs, exuding a rich cultural atmosphere. It is one of the few remaining academies among the four great academies in Yunlin. The plaque preserved since the Jiaqing period is regarded as a national treasure. Zhenwen Academy is located at the intersection of Xingnong West Road and Wenchang Road, originally the Wenchang Emperor Temple, established in 1797 (the second year of the Jiaqing era) to honor Wenchang Zitong Emperor, Wenheng Emperor, Fuyou Emperor, Zhu Yi Emperor, and Lu Yi Emperor, commonly known as the Five Great Wenchang Emperors. The locals refer to it as the "Wen Temple." Within the temple, there were clubs such as the "Zhenwen Society" and "Shan Society," and "Yifu Society," providing a venue for poetry lovers to gather. In 1812 (the 17th year of Jiaqing), Wang Youcheng of the Zhenwen Society and others advocated for the establishment of an academy, and gentry like Liao Chenghe enthusiastically donated funds for construction, which was completed the following year. A plaque from May 1813 (the year of Jiaqing Guityou) hangs above, inscribed with the words "Thousand Autumns of the Book Ancestor," making it one of the few surviving academies in Yunlin County.
