The Shūyuàn (simplified Chinese: 书院; traditional Chinese: 書院; pinyin: shūyuàn), usually known in English as Academies or Academies of Classical Learning, were a type of school in ancient China. Unlike national academy and district schools, shuyuan were usually private establishments built away from cities or towns, providing a quiet environment where scholars could engage in studies and contemplation without restrictions and worldly distractions.