Peking University, Public university in Haidian District, Beijing, China
Peking University is a public university in Haidian District, Beijing, China, spread across extensive grounds. The campus includes traditional Chinese pavilions, manicured gardens and the central Weiming Lake, around which paths and green spaces are arranged.
The university was founded in 1898 as the Imperial University of Peking by decree of Empress Dowager Cixi and replaced the old Guozijian system of imperial scholarship. It was among the first modern teaching institutions in the country and developed steadily after the founding of the republic.
The northern section houses the library, which serves as a central meeting point for students from across East Asia and regularly hosts visiting scholars from abroad. The campus reflects in many places the connection between Chinese scholarly tradition and modern teaching and working methods.
A visit is best planned on foot, as the paths around the lake and between the buildings are well signposted. Weekends bring more visitors, while weekdays tend to be quieter.
A number of hospitals in the surrounding area have been working closely with the university since the merger with the former Beijing Medical University in 2000. Many of the medical research projects take place in these affiliated institutions.
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