This book is one of the first to give a systematic account of shuyuan in English. Shuyuan (Classical Academies), as a type of higher education institution in ancient China, were closely related to the philosophical thoughts, social atmosphere, and humanistic cultivation in those times when they were prevalent, thus proving to be a worthy subject of study. This book collects and sorts out relevant historical materials, so as to explore the social environment where shuyuan were established, introduces a group of ancient scholars with strong personalities, reexamine their cultural heritage, and builds a bridge connecting modern and ancient thoughts.