122 Years Young: China's Undisputed Top Normal University
In Beijing's Haidian District, home to the highest concentration of "985 Project" universities in China, an institution that pioneered teacher education in the country celebrated its 122nd birthday. This is—
It traces its origins to the Normal School of the Imperial University of Peking established in 1902. As the eternal pioneer and undisputed leader in China's education sector, it has nurtured over 500,000 talents across various fields. As a comprehensive university, it has been consistently listed among "211", "985", and "Double First-Class" initiatives.
Due to its hidden strengths and unique location, it's nicknamed the "Ancient Tomb Sect" among Beijing universities. Take the bus to "Tie Shi Zi Fen" (Iron Lion Tomb) station, and you'll find its east gate nearby; exit through the west gate to reach Suo Jia Fen (Suo Family Tomb); its south gate neighbors Xiao Xi Tian (Little Western Heaven), while the north gate leads to Bei Tai Ping Zhuang subway station. Situated in this feng shui treasure north of Beijing's Second Ring Road, it's considered the comprehensive university closest to the city center.
Its nicknames are countless. At dusk, tens of thousands of crows circle overhead, earning it the title "Hogwarts of the East." Officially abbreviated BNU (Beijing Normal University), students affectionately call it "Beijing Normal University" (implying "ordinary") or "Beijing Average University." Other monikers include Jishuitan Women's Normal College, Beijing Dining University, and Beijing Construction University—each teasing nickname brimming with students' deep affection for their alma mater.
To Learn and to Teach:
122 years of the Golden Sound of the Wooden Bell
The "Wooden Bell with Golden Sound" standing in Jing Shi Square before the main building is BNU's iconic landmark. Since Confucius' time, the "wooden bell" became synonymous with "teacher." Nearly a century ago, it was designated as the core emblem of BNU's school badge, embodying the university's history since its founding.
As one of Beijing's two oldest universities and China's first normal university, BNU has led the nation's educational development from its inception. Beyond its numerous contributions to higher education, even familiar elements like Teachers' Day, the arts/science track system, and school calisthenics trace their origins to BNU. Why does Chinese primary school last six years, with three-year junior and senior high school? This "6-3-3" academic system was also BNU's innovation.
BNU's establishment and evolution mirror China's higher education trajectory. The Normal School was central to the Imperial University of Peking from its founding. Within six years, the mature teacher education program separated to become an independent normal college, upgrading to university status by 1929.
BNU, gathering renowned scholars, witnessed China's tumultuous modern history. Liang Qichao championed teacher education reform; Li Dazhao and Lu Xun used BNU as their base to advance the May Fourth New Culture Movement. Lu Xun reached his creative peak at BNU—his famous "In Memory of Liu Hezhen" was written during his tenure here.
During the Anti-Japanese War, BNU shouldered national salvation. Fu Jen Catholic University (later merged with BNU) led patriotic movements, with campus landmarks like the auditorium and December 9th Movement Monument witnessing revolutionary history. Meanwhile, BNU's westward relocation spread educational sparks to northwest China, leading to today's Northwest Normal University.
Figures 1-3: BNU's Fu Jen Campus.
After the 1952 university restructuring, all national teacher education policies were first piloted at BNU before nationwide implementation, making it the model for normal universities.
Having trained hundreds of thousands of teachers for New China, BNU also fostered affiliated schools nationwide. As early as 1912, it established attached middle and elementary schools. Today, over 70 BNU-affiliated schools across 20+ provinces—from Xinjiang's Karamay to Hainan's Wanning—rank among their regions' top institutions.
To Act as an Exemplar:
BNU: Aspiring Beyond "Normal"
"You study at BNU—so you'll become a teacher?"
This existential question plagues every BNU student. Initial explanations eventually give way to resigned acceptance.
As everyone knows, this is BNU's school motto stele.
Despite its "Normal University" name and undisputed No.1 pedagogy ranking, BNU is unequivocally a comprehensive university! With six disciplines ranked A+ (top 2%), its fundamental disciplines are among China's best. Of nearly 100 undergraduate majors, only 13 are teacher education programs.
As a prestigious institution with a long history, Beijing Normal University (BNU) excels in foundational humanities and science disciplines, thanks to its profound academic积淀. These fields, which require dedication and deep research, have shaped BNU's reserved and rigorous academic ethos. Meanwhile, its strength in arts and sports programs has revitalized its longstanding reputation, infusing it with youthful energy.
Founded in 1902, the College of Chinese Language and Literature shares BNU's age. Its long disciplinary history has nurtured numerous masters, from early luminaries like Lu Xun, Qian Xuantong, Liu Bannong, and Qi Gong to contemporary literary giants such as Mo Yan, Yu Hua, and Su Tong. Whether you're a soldier, a dentist, or a trained professional, BNU's Department of Chinese will refine your literary talent in its crucible.
Above: Lu Xun during an on-campus exchange.
Below: A 1924 group photo of BNU's board of directors, with Liang Qichao seated at the center.
History is another forte of BNU. Bai Shouyi's monumental *General History of China* is a must-read for history postgraduates nationwide. The renowned historian Chen Yuan served as BNU's president for nearly 20 years.
In the 1990s, Qi Gong donated all 2 million yuan from his calligraphy and painting sales to BNU, establishing the Liyun Scholarship—named after his mentor Chen Yuan's study—to encourage faculty and students to uphold and advance BNU's academic traditions. Today, the "Liyun" spirit is deeply ingrained in every BNU member.
Renowned history scholars of Beijing Normal University.
Reference: Official website of Beijing Normal University.
Over a century of literary and historical传承 has solidified BNU's profound humanistic底蕴, shaping its students' temperament for scholarly dedication.
BNU's strength isn't limited to humanities; its robust science programs are key to its elite status.
BNU's psychology program is the gold standard in China, with dauntingly high admission scores and a strict science-only policy—because at BNU, psychology is a hardcore science discipline!
The century-old Department of Physics.
At BNU, science disciplines also boast deep积淀.
China's psychology discipline began at BNU. Established as a general course when the Normal School was founded, BNU psychology has dominated the field since inception, achieving countless "firsts": top national discipline ranking for years, the only psychology national key discipline, and the first psychology faculty.
Inwardly cultivated, outwardly expansive. Beyond psychology, BNU truly embodies "mastering astronomy above and geography below."
Photo 1 by Tan Sheng; Photo 2 by Yan Zeyun.
Not every university can sustain an astronomy program. BNU is among China's few comprehensive universities with one. As the second institution to establish an astronomy department, the "BNU Star" outside the Yingdong Education Building见证 its resolve and capability to build a top-tier program.
Geography is another flagship program at BNU. As China's earliest geography department, it shares psychology's霸气: one of only two "A+" units nationally, ranked first in the discipline.
The astronomy department's 50cm telescope,
Located on the western slope of Muztagh Ata in the Pamir Plateau, at 4,526m altitude.
Studying geography at BNU will shatter your misconception that "geography is a humanities subject." Whether climbing mountains, digging soil, or hammering rocks in remote grasslands, distributing questionnaires and chatting in ancient Jiangnan towns, or operating drones and coding at实习 bases, BNU students' rigor is reflected in every detail of exploration.
The BNU Department of Geography has made immense contributions to China's geographical research. It produced Academician Zhou Tingru, a master in the field of Chinese geography. Li Shuanke, now the president of *Chinese National Geography*, was Zhou's student. BNU is also known as the cradle of *Chinese National Geography* editors.
The introspection of humanities and the rigor of science form the foundation of BNU's ethos of "setting an example for the world." It preserves a rare tranquility in this浮躁 era,延续着BNU's 122-year academic brilliance.
The all-round representative in comprehensive universities
BNUers are brimming with artistic "bacteria," and BNU's arts programs are equally impressive.
BNU students possess remarkable artistic talent.
Fig. 1: Qiujiduan Gymnasium; Fig. 2: Statue of Yuan Dunli.
Fig. 1 photo by Zheng Shaoze; Fig. 2 photo by Yang Yinuo.
BNU's sports prowess is nationally renowned. The women's "big three" ball sports achievements are always dazzling, earning the saying "half the national team is from BNU." Iron Hammer Lang Ping, captain Zhu Ting, and height queen Yuan Xinyue are all BNU alumni. The Chinese women's football team, which won the Asian Cup earlier this year, included Zhang Linlin, Wang Shuang, and Gao Chen—all from BNU. The BNU women's basketball team is an eight-time CUBA champion, and Chinese women's basketball captain Shao Ting also hails from BNU. Beyond this, former Olympic champions like uneven bars princess He Kexin and rings king Chen Yibing now "learn to teach," continuing to shine in frontline education.
As the sports representative among comprehensive universities, BNU is well-deserving.
BNU students take sports very seriously.
BNUers' love for their alma mater is hidden in daily banter, in seemingly critical yet affectionate emotions, reflecting their most fulfilling campus life.
Is BNU big or not?
Debating this is like punctuating "BNU浴室"—it easily attracts a flood of replies.
On BNU's campus, even bicycles seem redundant, let alone the awkwardness of e-bikes that require braking right after starting. If you move fast enough, waking at 7:55 can still get you to an 8 a.m. class. If you hit the noon or evening rush, the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd might sweep you randomly into a cafeteria.
BNU campus scenery, with China Zun visible in the distance.
Yet, the Haidian campus has its own "bigness." For instance, BNU's south gate is huge—it just opens once a year. In summer, BNU easily gets "flooded." When Beijing's rainy season arrives, BNU turns into a "Jishuitan," merging with the actual Jishuitan, solving the "regret" of BNU lacking a lake.
BNU's smallness manifests in its sensitivity to "bigness." For example, Xinlequn Cafeteria is jokingly called "Lequn Grand Hotel." The stable 3:7 male-to-female ratio also makes BNU women the campus's "leading ladies." The BNU library's collection rivals the National Library, earning its fame as a "big library" among Beijing universities. This is BNU's unique kind of bigness.
Yuanbai Building (Future Design学院) at BNU Zhuhai Campus.
Across all campuses, BNU's size is quite tangible. The Zhuhai Campus, hailed as Asia's most beautiful valley university, spans 5000 acres, making it BNU's largest. Meanwhile, the Furen Campus, featured in the film *Farewell My Concubine*, adds a layer of古典 charm to BNU's history.
How many nicknames does BNU have? A quick count requires more than one hand.
When you gaze at the crow, the crow gazes back at you.
Figure 1-2: The playground fence is overgrown with flowers;
Figure 1 photographed by Yang Yinuo; Figure 2 photographed by Tan Sheng.
Beauty-loving BNU enjoys constant renovations, living up to its nickname "Beijing Construction University." The snack street gets revamped almost every year, Xinlequn South Road is long blocked by metal plates, the small south gate was recently rebuilt, but rumor has it Yingdong Building is still under repair... Yet, it’s undeniable that BNU is becoming more and more beautiful.
In contrast, good food matters even more, and "Beijing Dining University" spares no effort in its canteen offerings. Student canteens range from Xueyi to Xueqi, from Northwest to Staff, serving dishes from all over the country to win the hearts of students nationwide. Generous portions, affordable prices, and delicious flavors firmly capture the appetites of teachers and students alike.
The Smart Canteen, BNU’s most intelligent dining hall.
Late-night snacks in the canteen are available until 9 PM, while the snack street offers everything from frying to grilling. A winding path through the international student apartments leads straight to McDonald’s, and though the once-popular Mixue Ice Cream & Tea has faded, the lively atmosphere lingers, enveloping students’ dreams of returning home.
Compared to all its nicknames, BNU students prefer to modestly call their alma mater "Beijing Ordinary University." Only the youth spent here can leave behind memories tied to that very youth.
Students "picnicking" on the playground.
At BNU, no matter your interests, you’ll find your place. The annual "Four Cups" competitions in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and table tennis gather the essence of talent; the winter cooking contest always draws crowds, with even more volunteering as judges. The annual dubbing competition invites countless industry legends: Jiang Guangtao, Bian Jiang, Ma Zhengyang, Li Lanling... Voice enthusiasts and anime fans shed tears of envy. Beyond these, the campus singer contest, hosting competitions... all bear the marks of BNUers’ hard work.
Seasons change, time never stops. Memories of BNU are endless—from the ivy climbing the library to Teaching Building 8, from the shade of trees by Lovers’ Slope in Xiyuan, all leading back to the wooden bell tower at Jingshi Square, lingering at the coordinates of I❤️BNU.
Remember Mr. Qi Gong’s graduation message before departure? Recall the youthful naivety of "first stepping through the gate," carrying the lesson of "establishing oneself in life’s journey" into the world.