At Andingmennei in Dongcheng District four dazzling arches tower over Imperial College Street (Guozijian Street- formerly called Chengyin Street). Three magnificent characters are written on the entrance archway, declaring this to be the Imperial College.

The Imperial College was the highest school in ancient China. It was established during the Yuan Dynasty, Dade Period Year 10 (1306) and was used during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, until it was closed during the 100 Days Reform The Imperial College complex is arranged in a north-south orientation on the city’s central axis.

From the south going north are the Jixian door, Imperial College doors, glass arch, Circlet Hall, Yi Lun Hall and Jingyi Pavilion. To the east and west sides are four halls and six pavilions, constituting a traditional symmetrical pattern. Inside of Jixian Gate to the east and west are small pavilions, with the east one connecting with the Confucian Temple. After passing through Jixian Gate, you’ll come to the second door——the Imperial College Gate—and will enter the second courtyard.

Here you’ll find the glass arch, Circlet Hall, and Yilun Hall. The glass arch is the only one of its kind in Beijing constructed for a school. The two sided banners feature quotes from Emperor Qianlong and symbolize the traditional emphasis on education in China.

The Circlet Hall is the main building in the Imperial College. It has doors on all four sides as well as six steps. The hall is surrounded by corridors and exquisite bridges which connect the temples and courtyards. After Emperor Qianlong, upon ascending the throne each new emperor would come here to give a lecture to show the importance of higher education.

Yilun Hall is located north of the Circlet Hall, and was the site of the emperors’ lectures. After the construction of the Circlet Hall it became the college’s library. To the front and west of Yilun Hall is the “Auspicious Cassia”, which is about 15 meters tall with two back to back twin trunks. There are a wide range of legends about this tree, including one that says it was planted by the first Imperial Officer Xu Heng.

This tree had withered by the end of the Ming Dynasty, but in the summer of Qianlong’s 16th Year, it suddenly sprouted new branches. The college’s teachers and students were amazed, and the tree became famous. That was right at the time of the emperor’s mother Cining’s 60th birthday, and this was viewed as an auspicious omen. The tree was therefore named the “Auspicious Cassia”.