Site of the Imperial University of Peking

The site of the Imperial University of Peking is an educational heritage location in Beijing's Jingshan area, situated near the Forbidden City. Buildings from the late 1800s remain visible, showing how the campus was structured during its original period.

The Imperial University of Peking was founded in 1898 through a royal decree by Emperor Guangxu, marking China's shift toward modern higher education. This founding established the groundwork for today's Peking University and transformed how education developed across the nation.

This location marks where Western educational methods first took root in China, replacing the traditional system of imperial examinations. Visitors can sense how this shift shaped the nation's intellectual path and inspired generations of students.

The location is within walking distance of the Forbidden City, making it convenient to visit as part of a larger tour of central Beijing. Visitors should wear comfortable footwear as the site consists of outdoor structures spread across an open area.

What makes this location remarkable is that it represents the exact turning point where China shifted from centuries of imperial examinations to Western-style university education. This transformation happened not gradually but through deliberate imperial policy.