Starting July 1, Luzhi Ancient Town will offer free admission to teachers and students nationwide, opening a window for them to discover this millennium‑old town steeped in history and culture. Visitors from Beijing, Henan, Nanjing, Shanxi, and other regions are immersing themselves in the serene waterside charm of this time‑honored locale, which boasts over 2,500 years of heritage; they are savoring the unique allure of “China’s premier water‑town,” marveling at the timeless elegance of the “Museum of Ancient Chinese Bridges,” and tracing the enduring threads of its thousand‑year‑old cultural legacy.

Teachers and students from all over, holding their student or teacher IDs, stepped into the thousand-year-old BaoSheng Temple, where relics such as Tang‑dynasty stelae, Song‑era stone pedestals, flagpole brackets, a massive iron bell, and sculpted arhat murals recount the refined elegance of Tang‑style grace and Song‑era charm. Following in the footsteps of luminaries like Lu Guimeng and Ye Shengtao, they visited Qingfeng Pavilion, Chuihong Bridge, the Shengsheng Farm, and the former site of the “Five Highs,” immersing themselves in the temple’s rich cultural heritage.

Explore the Shen and Xiao residences, marvel at their exquisite architectural artistry, and uncover the tales of rise and fall behind these time-honored homes. Pay a visit to the Memorial Hall of Wang Tao, a renowned thinker of the late Qing dynasty, to learn about his life and contributions; at the Wansheng Rice Exchange, experience the bustling atmosphere of the Republican-era rice market; and tour the Water‑Town Agricultural Tools Museum, where you can read a “real‑life” history of Jiangnan farming implements, gaining insight into Luzhi’s long-standing agricultural heritage and personally sensing the town’s enduring cultural lineage and profound historical depth.

△ Teachers from Nanjing, Henan, and other regions visit local attractions.

△ Students from Beijing and Luzhi visited local attractions.

More than a century ago, Mr. Ye Shengtao took Luzhi as a testing ground for educational reform, achieving both remarkable success in his experimental teaching and a bountiful harvest of literary works. He thus delivered an exemplary response to the pressing questions of “the state of education in China today” and “the transformation of primary education,” addressing such fundamental issues as “why become a teacher,” “how to be a teacher,” and “what it means to be a teacher.”

This year marks the 130th anniversary of Mr. Ye’s birth, and the ancient town of Luzhi is offering free admission to teachers and students nationwide, providing a platform for learning and cultural immersion. In doing so, it enables more people to appreciate the picturesque waterside scenery and gain insight into the town’s rich heritage, while also discovering Mr. Ye Shengtao’s deep ties to Luzhi and his unwavering dedication to the cause of education.

@Teachers and students nationwide, the free admission event at Luzhi Ancient Town is still ongoing—don’t miss it! Teachers can present their teacher ID; students may use their student ID, chest badge, or campus card; and middle- and high-school exam takers can enter the attraction by showing their junior‑high or college‑entrance exam admission tickets.

Tips: No ticket exchange is required; you can enter the six attractions in the ancient town—Baosheng Temple, Shen Residence, Xiao Residence, Wang Tao Memorial Hall, Wansheng Rice Mill, and the Water Town Agricultural Tools Museum—by presenting your ID.