People do the Confucius worshipping ceremony at the Songyang Academy. [Photo by Zhang Xingjian/chinadaily.com.cn]

In recent years, Songyang Academy has held "one school, three lectures" cultural and educational activities; Bailudong Academy has conducted cultural exchanges with many universities; Erhu Academy has been committed to popularizing Chinese traditional culture to primary school students; Shigu Academy has become a place for local people to enjoy daily life and cultural activities and Yuelu Academy has enrolled 320 students to learn just like the ancients did.

"Only when China's academies' history and culture have been learned by more and more people, will people realize the great value of those ancient institutions and reaccept them little by little," said Deng Hongbo, a professor from Hunan University.