Site of Shanxi Third Middle School, National-level protected school site in Majunying Subdistrict, Datong, China

The Site of Shanxi Third Middle School occupies nearly 30,000 square metres on the west bank of the Shili River, with 7,401 square metres of buildings laid out along a south-north axis. From the south come the gate of eight square brick columns, a single-storey office block, a 760-square-metre hall shaped like a reclining elephant, twelve detached 110-square-metre classrooms in a square grid, and finally the library and laboratory.

The school was founded to promote modern learning during a time of major social change in China. The site received national protection status in 2006 because of its important role in Chinese educational history.

The buildings show how Chinese schools shifted from traditional to modern designs in the early 1900s. You can see this transition in the architecture as you walk through the site.

The site covers nearly 30,000 square metres, with 7,401 square metres of buildings laid out along a south-to-north axis: gate, office building, auditorium, twelve classrooms, then the library and laboratories, with the sports ground off-axis. The gate is formed by eight square brick columns. Allow time to walk the full axis and the side wings.

The main gate is formed by eight square brick columns, and the 760-square-metre auditorium is shaped like a reclining elephant with its head to the north; on the elephant's head are two characters, "立志" (resolve), written by principal Yuan Youmei.