Yundang Academy is a cultural symbol of Xiamen. [Photo/sunnews.cn]

Yundang Academy, located beside Yundang Lake in Xiamen in eastern Fujian province, has for the past 10 years been dedicated to holding sinology speeches, activities for experiencing Chinese traditional culture and cross-Straits Sinology forums.

The academy, which opened to the public in July 2009, has become a landmark in Bailuzhou as well as a cultural symbol of Xiamen.

"In the early 1990s, Xiamen launched a construction plan, named Island of Dreams, with Bailuzhou as its center. The plan aims to build Bailuzhou into a commercial area in Xiamen," Wang Weisheng, head of the academy recalled.

The city also strove to develop itself into an international island-featured tourism city, with a focus on Yundang Lake.

But Bailuzhou failed to become a commercial area. 1997 was a year of transition, in which cities across the country constructed parks to mark Hong Kong's return. Xiamen followed the trend and built the Bailuzhou West Park, which was completed in 45 days from design to afforestation.

After building the park, the government adjusted the overall construction plan of Bailuzhou area to beautify the city, as it lacked a vigorous appearance with only buildings made of steel and cement, according to Wang.

In 2005, Xiamen government approved a proposal to build Yundang Academy in the eastern area of Bailuzhou Park, with the aim of blending culture with nature and highlighting the cultural atmosphere of gardens and parks.