Ganzhou-Guangdong Self-Drive Tour (Part 38)

Yuntou Academy is located on a small hill at the northeastern edge of the urban area, being the youngest among Rucheng's four major academies with a history of over 200 years. Accessible by car, the flat hilltop features a three-story antique-style pavilion at its central square, making it a great spot for locals to relax, exercise, and enjoy panoramic views. The academy sits in a courtyard on the eastern side of the hilltop. The inscribed plaque "Yuntou Academy" on the main gate and the calligraphy "Ladies' School" on the side gate lintel reflect the institution's evolving fate through history—reportedly serving as a nursing home before restoration. With national rejuvenation and renewed cultural confidence, its revival is a blessing for both the academy and us. Eight kilometers east of Rucheng near Yuntou Academy lies Huangjia Village, home to the Huang Family Compound—a historic site of Mao Zedong's revolutionary activities. Though aged, the well-maintained courtyard is clean and hosts simple exhibitions. The tranquil village boasts pleasant scenery, with several newly refurbished ancestral halls that are quintessentially Rucheng. About four kilometers away lies Jinshan Village, renowned for its ancient ancestral halls. The Ye Family Ancestral Hall (Dunben Hall) and Lu Family Ancestral Hall (Xulun Hall) are national-level cultural heritage sites, while the Li Family Ancestral Hall is municipally protected. These exquisitely carved, antique structures, clustered closely together, still serve their original purposes—honoring ancestors and hosting village meetings. As embodiments of clan culture, Rucheng's 700+ ancestral halls, like tulou and walled villages, stand as testaments to the Hakka people's pioneering history. Rucheng · Chenzhou