Yan Nan Academy Introduction
Yan Nan Academy is a lecturing place established by the Song Dynasty scholar Zhu Xi in Kinmen, and it is the earliest cultural and educational site in Kinmen. This initiative also promoted the literary atmosphere in the area, leading to the production of many Jinshi (advanced degree holders) during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the late Ming Dynasty, Yan Nan Academy was renamed Taiwenyan Temple, primarily dedicated to the worship of the Black-faced Water Patriarch. It, along with Taiwushan Haiyin Temple, Tianpu Chenghuang Temple, Jincheng South Gate Xianglian Temple, and Anqian Enzhu Gong Temple, is collectively known as the "Five Famous Temples of Kinmen." The interior of Yan Nan Academy features a "回" (hui) shaped design, with the main hall dedicated to the Black-faced Water Patriarch, while the rear hall center enshrines Wenchang Dijun, Zhu Xi, and the Kwei Hsing deity, among others related to academics and exams. The side rooms are designated for art exhibitions and event spaces, allowing visitors to appreciate calligraphy works and read books. Outside the academy, there is a large installation art piece shaped like a scroll, which has become an alternative photo spot in Kinmen. Additionally, the elevated location of Yan Nan Academy offers a great view of Kinmen City and Xiamen.
