The Cradle of Scholars: Langzhong Ancient City Gongyuan and the Dream of the Golden List

The Best-Preserved Examination Hall in China

Located on Gongyuan Street in the heart of Langzhong Ancient City, Nanchong City, Sichuan Province, the Langzhong Ancient City Gongyuan (also known as the Sichuan Northern Circuit Examination Hall) stands as a monumental testimony to China’s 1,300-year history of the Imperial Examination System (Keju). Covering an area of approximately 12,000 square meters within the National 5A Tourist Attraction of Langzhong Ancient City, it is recognized as the largest and best-preserved Qing Dynasty provincial-level examination hall in the country. Unlike many reconstructed sites, Langzhong Gongyuan retains its original layout and architectural integrity, serving as a "Living Museum of the Imperial Examination." Here, visitors can step back in time to witness the rigorous and often harsh conditions under which ancient scholars strove for the honor of the "Golden List," a pursuit that defined social mobility and governance in imperial China for over a millennium.

A Honeycomb of Ambition and History

1.The architectural layout of the: Gongyuan is a masterpiece of strict hierarchy and surveillance, designed to ensure fairness in the selection of officials. The most striking feature is the rows of "Honeycomb" Examination Cells (Haoshe). These thousands of small, cramped cubicles, arranged with military precision, were where candidates spent days and nights in isolation, writing the "Eight-Legged Essays" that would determine their fate. The walls are high and the desks low, creating a solemn atmosphere of confinement and focus. Towering over the cells is the Mingyuan Tower (Mingyuan Lou), a majestic structure used by proctors and officials to monitor the entire examination ground. Standing on this tower offers a panoramic view of the checkerboard-like layout of the exam cells against the backdrop of the ancient city's grey tiles, symbolizing the immense pressure and the grand ambition of the scholars.

The Legend of the "Feng Shui" City

2.Langzhong is celebrated as: China’s "Feng Shui First City," and the Gongyuan’s location is no accident. It sits precisely on the central axis of the ancient city, a position associated with the "Literary Star" (Wenqu Xing), believed to bless the area with academic success. The history of Langzhong’s scholarly excellence is recorded in the Zhigong Tang (Hall of Extreme Public Spirit) and the forest of stone steles within the complex. The courtyard is lined with tablets inscribing the names of successful candidates, including the famous Yin brothers who both achieved top honors. This "Feng Shui" blessing is said to be the reason why Langzhong produced so many Zhuangyuans (top scholars) and Jinshis (successful candidates) throughout the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Visitors often touch these ancient steles or drink from the Gongyuan Well, believing the water imparts wisdom and luck for exams and careers.

An Immersive Journey into the Past

3.What sets Langzhong: Gongyuan apart is its immersive cultural experience. During festivals, especially the Spring Festival, the hall comes alive with reenactments of ancient exams. Visitors can don traditional Song or Qing dynasty scholar robes and participate in a "Mock Examination." You can draw lots to enter a cell, write calligraphy or essays, and have your work graded by "officials." Successful participants are awarded a "Zhuangyuan Scroll" and may even parade through the streets, recreating the glory of passing the imperial exams. This interactive experience transforms history from cold stone artifacts into a vibrant, living memory. Beyond the exams, the complex houses a Feng Shui Culture Exhibition, explaining the geomantic principles of the city, and displays rare artifacts like "cheat sheets" (miniature books used for cheating), offering a fascinating glimpse into the desperate ingenuity of ancient students.