Yuelu Academy (Photo/Xinhua)

Top 9: Yuelu Academy（岳麓书院）

The Yuelu Academy is located on the eastern side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, found on the western bank of the Xiangjiang River. It was established in 976, the 9th year of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), under the reign of Emperor Kaibao, and was one of China's four most prestigious academies of the past 1,000 years. Renowned Confucian scholars Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi both lectured at the academy.

Since 1926, the academy has become a part of Hunan University. It is now a research center for humanities, social sciences and Chinese studies.

Admission: 50 yuan (US$7.91)/person