Tsinghua University

The original location of Tsinghua University was part of the Xichun Garden, which was built in the Yongzheng era (1723-1735) of the Qing Dynasty as the subsidiary part of the Old Summer Palace. In 1911, the Travel Aesthetics Department was constructed in Tsinghua University and later renamed as “School of Tsinghua”.

The second school gate is one of the most characteristic buildings of the Tsinghua University. It boasts black-brick base and three arched doors made of white marble. On the large door with perfect arch, there inscribed the characters of “清华园” (Tsinghua Park) wrote by Natong, a Grand Secretary in the late of Qing Dynasty. The words are shining with great charm in the sunshine. The second school gate was initially built in 1909 as the major gate of the school. At that time, its two wings connected with other buildings with short walls. The Tsinghua University has once seenthe heavy guard, opening to no irrelevant personnel. After the extension in 1933, the park walls were moved outside, giving birth to a new gate, which was at the location of today’s west school gate. Since then, the earliest gate was commonly called as “the second gate”.

The location of Tsinghua University is richly endowed by nature, with cleverly-designed human-made lakes in the campus, stone desks beside the lakes and lotuses swaying with the wind and water. Visitors may fell relaxed and refresh and fall into wonderful reveries. Statues including Zhu Ziqing, Wen Yiduo and other figures in the school are also telling pathetic and memorable stories of the past days. A stroll here a day may bring you travel of knowledge and refreshed minds and thoughts.

Address: No.30, Shuangqing Road, Haidian District  海淀区双清路30号

Peking University

Peking University, also called Yan Yuan (the garden of Yan), includes ShuchunGarden, Shao Garden, LangrunGarden, JingchunGarden, MingheGarden, WeixiuGarden, Changchun Garden, ChengzeGarden and others. This former well-known royal garden in the Ming and Qing dynasties has remained its basic structure and beautiful charm after hundred years of vicissitude. The Yan Yuan in spring should be the paradise on earth, with the fascinating sceneries scattering like starts.

Deep in the south of the Yan Yuan, there is a serene park with lush trees, fragrant flowers, and twittering birds. That is YannanGarden, honored as “the garden in gardens”. A walk into YannanGarden may take you travel across time and get back to Peiping. When Yan Yuan was initially constructed, teachers of Peking University used to live here, including the couples of Bingxin (Xie Wanying, litterateur), Zhu Guangqian (aesthetician), Zhou Peiyuan (dynamicist), Ma Yinchu (economist and the former President of Peking University), and Feng Youlan (philosopher), making the park home to the spirits of Peking University.

Many statues of celebrities could also be found in the campus. The public memorial ceremony and the 150th anniversary of the birthday of CaiYuanpei, China’s well-known educator, revolutionist, and ideologist, were both held in Jing Garden during this QingmingFestival when representatives of Peking University stood before the revolutionary martyr's monument and showed their grief.

Address: No.5, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District   海淀区颐和园路5号

Renmin University of China

Most buildings of Renmin University are Western styles with exotic charm. Located at the west school gate, Mingde Building combines the functions of teaching, experiment, book reading, offices, theater, and studio. The massive complex of modern style is in the color of vermilion and can be called the grandest one in Renmin University. Baijia Gallery is at the right forward side of the west school gate, carrying the meaning of “all schools of thoughts contends for attention”.

In the morning, it is an ideal place for students to read books, while in the evening, it is good for dancing and exercising in gymnastics. In the gallery, there are green pines, verdant cypresses, as well as lush trees and red flowers. Several meandering cobblestone-paved routes meet at the gallery, that is, small paths open up on an enchanting view. The Century Hall is at the southeast of Mingde Building and faces Yishao Pool and Baijia Gallery. It is the largest multi-function cultural and sports hall in China’s colleges and universities. Each year, a large group of freshmencoming to Renmin University will gather here, and it also bids farewell to graduates in June.

Address: No.59, Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District  海淀区中关村大街59号

Beijing Normal University

As the well-proved No.1 among the teacher-training schools in China and the dream destination for many students desiring to be teachers, Beijing Normal University grew out of the Normal College of the Imperial University of Peking established in 1902. The school with a history of more than one hundred years is more than picturesque in spring. The main building is located at the south school gate, which looks like an ancient cooking vessel of China, combining the features of profound history and modern time. Jingshi Square is in front of the main building, and it is rare for the school to open such a broad area in its limited space. Every morning, when the whole square is bathed in the warm sunshine, the green lawn, dynamic fountain, and agreeable spring wind will make ita magnificent fairyland.

Address: No.19, Xinjiekou Outer Street, Haidian District   海淀区新街口外大街19号

Beihang University

Beihang University (previously known as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)is located in the core hi-tech region of Zhongguancun and neighbors National Olympic Sports Center. It is the first key university for aeronautics for new China.

The university covers the total area of over 3,200 mu, with the overall floorage of over 1,500 thousands square meters. It has Technology Innovation Experience Hall, Aerospace Museum, Chenxing Music Hall, indoor swimming pool, rock climbing facilities, and university history museum. In the campus atXueyuan Road, there are China’s first blue synthetic racetracks of international standard and the most extensive individual building of creative teaching (the new main building of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics) across Asia. The university also boasts beautiful environment with garden facilities like Green Park, Lotus Pond, South Lake, and Cherry Blossom Garden, activity infrastructures including squares and health and fitness facilities, as well as sceneries like fountains, sculptures, and cultured stones.

Address: No.37, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District   海淀区学院路37号

Communication University of China

Entering the south gate of the Communication University of China, you will catch sight of the main building. On the fountain plaza before the building, there is a sculpture of Ding, a kind of prehistoric and ancient Chinese cauldron, under which inscribed “the Huangpu of broadcasting and TV, the aircraft carrier of media industry”. Indeed, the so-called “Huangpu Military Academy” in the media field of China is the cradle for talents of editing, writing, compiling, commenting, broadcasting, shooting, recording, directing, etc. It is also a place where dreams begin. As soon as boarding on such an “aircraft carrier”, many students will have a more precise future direction, broaden horizon, and more sophisticated know-how.

It will be a wonderful time to sit in the pavilion, watching the water flowing through the artificial hills and weeping willows swaying in the wind, chatting with friends or reading a book alone. The sky-blue Piano Lake lies before the Library “Dayue City”. From the aerial photo, you will see the black and white piano keys cleverly arranged by the left side of the lake.

Address: No.1 Dingfuzhuang East Street, Chaoyang District  朝阳区定福庄东街1号