Places to Visit in Haidian (VI): Dream Universities

（来源：海淀外事）

With exceptional research and educational resources and opportunities and a strong academic atmosphere,

many universities in Haidian are dream universities of a lot of people.

In this episode,

we will

enter some university campuses in Haidian

which add an alluring cosmopolitan feel to the district.

01

Peking University

Known as the Imperial University of Peking when it was founded in 1898, Peking University is the first state-run university in modern China. It acquired its present name in 1912, following the Xinhai Revolution.

Peking University is not only a haven of Chinese cultural and educational tradition, but also a harbinger of modern higher education in China. When it was founded, it was also the country’s highest-level government agency for education, and has played an important role in the shaping of a modern academic system in China.

The university was at the center of many significant moments in China’s modern history, including the birth of the New Culture Movement and the May 4th Movement, the early spread of Marxism as well as democratic and scientific ideas in China, and the budding of communism in China. Peking University has played an important role in the nation’s revitalization, liberation, development, social progress and modernization.

Huabiao

(a type of traditional ornamental column)

Weiming Lake and Boya Pagoda

02

Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University was founded in 1911, originally under the name “Tsing Hua Imperial College”. It was renamed “Tsing Hua College” in 1912. The name “National Tsing Hua University” was adopted in 1928. Following the outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in 1937, National Tsing Hua University, Peking University and Nankai University merged to form Changsha Temporary University, which was renamed the National Southwest Associated University in 1938 after moving to Kunming. In 1946, the University moved back to its original location in Beijing. In 1952, it became a polytechnic institute focusing on training engineers and scientists for the country. Therefore, Tsinghua University is also known as the “cradle of the Republic’s engineers”.

The Old Gate

The Auditorium

Art Museum

Base Camp

by Jamie Clark (U.S.)

Frozen Time No. 6

by Daniela Schlagenhauf (France)

Tsinghua Xuetang

Shuimu Tsinghua

03

Renmin University of China

Renmin University of China is the first regular modern university founded by the Communist Party of China. Its predecessor was Shanbei Public School, founded in 1937 amid the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Shanbei Public School was later renamed several times, as North China United University, Northern University, and North China University.

Since its founding, Renmin University of China has been committed to fostering talent for the development of the country, and promoting higher education in the humanities and social sciences and the teaching and study of Marxism. It is known as a pacesetter of China's higher education in the humanities and social sciences. Ms. Sabine Dabringhaus (Germany) who studied at Renmin University of China is the first international student to obtain a doctorate in liberal arts in China.

West Gate

Yishao Pond

Qiushi Stone that bears the university motto “Seek Truth from Fact”

04

Beijing Language and Culture University

Beijing Language and Culture University was founded under the direct guidance of Premier Zhou Enlai. The university had its name hand-written by Chairman Mao Zedong. Its predecessor was the Higher Preparatory School for Foreign Students founded in 1962.　In 1964, the school was renamed Beijing Language Institute, and became a venue for international students to learn Chinese, Chinese students to learn foreign languages before their overseas study, and a training center of Chinese language teachers abroad. In 1996, it was renamed “Beijing Language and Culture University”.

International Wall

Laiyuan Garden

05

Beijing Foreign Studies University

Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is the first foreign language institution of higher learning founded by the Communist Party of China. Its predecessor was the Russian Language Team in the Third Branch of the Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese Military and Political College founded in Yan’an in 1941, which was later renamed the Foreign Languages School of the Central Military Commission. In 1954, it was renamed Beijing Foreign Studies Institute. In 1959, it merged with Beijing Russian Language Institute to form a new university which retained the name “Beijing Foreign Studies Institute”. In 1994, it was renamed Beijing Foreign Studies University. The university offers 101 foreign language programs and is known as the “cradle of the Republic’s diplomats”.

BFSU has signed exchange and cooperation agreements with 299 universities and academic institutions in 84 countries and regions. It operates 23 Confucius Institutes and Classrooms in 18 countries across Asia, Europe and the Americas, seven of which were named “Global Model Confucius Institutes”.

Isabel Crook was a foreign expert and lifelong honorary professor at BFSU. She was an international communist, pioneer in English teaching in the People’s Republic of China, and recipient of the “Medal of Friendship” of China. She witnessed and participated in the development of foreign language education in China and made outstanding contributions to China’s education and friendly exchanges with other countries as well as people-to-people exchanges.

World Language Museum

Library

Möbius strip

Come and check out

these amazing university campuses

in Haidian

END

Some images and information in this article are credited to the official websites and WeChat Official Accounts ofPeking University,Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Language and Culture University, and Beijing Foreign Studies University.