Historical Overview
- Foundation: Founded during the late Qing Dynasty’s Hundred Days’ Reform, initially as the Imperial College of Peking.
- Modern Era: Reestablished in 1912 as Peking University, becoming a hub for the May Fourth Movement (1919) and New Culture Movement.
- Global Recognition: Joined the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) in 1997; produced 142 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Structural Layout
The campus is divided into three zones:
- Historic Core: Features Qing Dynasty-style buildings, the Old Library, and the June 4th Memorial Plaza.
- Academic Hub: Modern facilities like the School of Economics, Life Sciences Institute, and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.
- Cultural & Recreational: Weiming Lake, Boya Pagoda, and the Art Museum.
Major Attractions
- Weiming Lake: A 33-hectare artificial lake, ideal for boating in summer and ice-skating in winter.
- Boya Pagoda: A 37-meter Tang Dynasty-style pagoda offering panoramic campus views.
- Old Library: A red-brick Beaux-Arts building (1922) housing rare books and the PKU Museum.
- June 4th Memorial: A student-led exhibit commemorating the 1989 protests.
- Art Museum: Displays Chinese calligraphy, paintings, and contemporary installations.
Suggested Itineraries
- Classic Route (2–3 hours):
East Gate → Old Library → Weiming Lake → Boya Pagoda → June 4th Memorial.
Highlight: Sunset photography at the lake.
- Academic Deep Dive (4–5 hours):
School of Economics → Life Sciences Institute → Khoo Teck Puat Hospital → Art Museum.
Add-on: Attend a public lecture (check schedules online).
- Comprehensive Tour (Full Day):
Morning: Historic Core sites.
Afternoon: Academic Hub and Cultural Zone.
Evening: Dinner at PKU’s student canteen (¥15–30).
Ticket Purchase
- Campus Access: Free entry; book guided tours via PKU’s official WeChat (up to 7 days in advance).
- Special Passes:
- ¥50 (2-hour guided tour with student ambassador).
- ¥100 (4-hour academic-themed tour).
- Discounts: Free for children under 12; 50% off for students/seniors.
Transportation
- By Subway: Line 4 (Peking University East Station, Exit C), 15-minute walk to East Gate.
- By Bus: Routes 307, 320, or 375 to Peking University South Gate.
- Local Transport: Shared bikes (Mobike/HelloBike) for campus exploration.
Best Time & Tips
- Peak Season: Apr–Jun (cherry blossoms) and Sep–Oct (autumn foliage).
- Avoid Crowds: Early mornings (7–9 AM) for quiet lake views; weekdays quieter.
- Essentials:
- Bring ID for campus registration.
- Respect academic zones: no loud noise near labs/libraries.