China's Most Beautiful University on Luojia Mountain Celebrates Its 131st Birthday Today!

Partial landscape of Wuhan University campus.

As the city with the largest number of college students globally, Wuhan alone boasts 83 universities, making it truly deserving of the title "Capital of Universities." Among them, Wuhan University still stands out as the most exceptional—not Wuhan ×× University, not Hubei ×× University, nor Central China ×× University, but simply Wuhan University. It’s as if this prestigious institution, situated at the crossroads of nine provinces and nourished by the Yangtze River, naturally embodies this unparalleled confidence.

Behind the archway inscribed with "Learning from the Great Han to Establish a Nation," this university celebrated its 131st birthday on November 29. From the Self-Strengthening School in 1893 to Wuchang Higher Normal School in 1913 and then to National Wuhan University in 1928, it is one of China’s oldest universities. As a member of the 985 and 211 projects and among the first "Double First-Class" initiative institutions, it is also one of China’s finest higher education establishments...

At 131 years old, Wuhan University is now in its prime.

Photo by Zhong Yuqing

Beyond that, its beauty has also captivated the world. Nestled by East Lake and atop Luojia Mountain, the Wuhan University campus boasts both stunning mountains and waters, as well as elegant and intricate architectural complexes, making it a treasure trove of humanistic and aesthetic value. Every spring when the "Luoying" (cherry blossoms) bloom, this university, bathed in the fragrance of sakura, opens its arms to visitors nationwide. Calling it "China’s most beautiful university" is no exaggeration.

"Luojia Mountain People’s Park"

As a perennial favorite on social media, Wuhan University is not only known as the "most beautiful campus" but also nicknamed the "National Internet-Famous University." The cherry blossom season in spring is undoubtedly the university’s most high-profile time, with visitors eagerly tracking the blooming period and making their annual pilgrimage. Crowds pour in, filling the foot of Luojia Mountain with vibrant energy. As a university, its capacity to host visitors even surpasses that of many tourist attractions, once setting a record of 700,000 visitors in a single month—earning its reputation as "Luojia Mountain People’s Park."

The 300-meter-long Cherry Blossom Avenue is a sight to behold at every step.

Wuhan University students are proud yet affectionate, joking that "every cherry blossom dreams of seeing the sea of people at Wuhan University," while also cherishing the blossoms deeply. Their photo albums document each year’s cherry blossoms, with attention to blooming and falling so precise it extends to individual trees. For them, home is under the cherry blossoms, and time flows with the blooming seasons.

Cherry blossoms, and the crowds capturing them,

Photo by Huang Datou

If you ask Wuhan University students about their favorite season, it’s not just spring. Some praise autumn’s fiery foliage and the spirited Golden Autumn Art Festival; others love winter’s snow-clad landscapes, like ink paintings; and some joke about summer at "Wuhan University of Sweating in a Pot," with its mix of farewells and welcomes... The beauty of Luojia Mountain People’s Park isn’t limited to cherry blossoms, either. The Humanities and Sciences Campus features four gardens—Cherry, Osmanthus, Maple, and Plum—scattered between Lion Mountain and Luojia Mountain. A single loop on the campus shuttle (if you can squeeze in) feels like a journey through the seasons.

Photo by Tian Chunyu, Huang Datou (top right)

Wuhan University students often say, "To journey through these mountains and waters is a blessing for three lifetimes." The "waters" refer to the vast East Lake, which encircles nearly half the campus, shielding it from the浮躁 and noise of the outside world. The entire university could be called "Lakeside," but only the dormitory area in the northeast corner officially bears the name. Lakeside has Lingbo Gate, where the East Lake waters once served as the students’ swimming pool. On rainy days, when the lake overflows the boardwalk, it creates a magical scene of "treading on rippling waves."

East Lake’s Lingbo Gate—Wuhan University’s outdoor swimming spot.

In Wuhan, rain is often measured in "dozens of East Lakes." During the rainy season, the campus seems to float on the lake. Only those who’ve waded through flooded gates, watched waterfalls at Guiyuan, or picked up fish from the roadside can claim to be true aquatic nobility.

The "mountains" are the towering Luojia. While many Chinese universities are nestled between hills and waters, few can claim an entire mountain—1,280 meters long and 118 meters high—as their own. The entire campus is set among rolling hills, with Luojia Mountain joined by Lion Mountain, Wuyu Ridge, Half-Side Mountain, and over a dozen others. Wuhan University students measure their campus on foot, learning that life is about climbing every hill. Only after conquering "Despair Slope" can one set foot on Cherry Blossom Avenue.

Wuhan University’s lawns and shade trees have heard too many youthful whispers.

Wuhan University belongs to everyone, and Wuhan University belongs to its students. Under this sky lies the backdrop of every student’s youthful story, with its varied landscapes carrying countless memories of blooming youth.

Among the Ancient Buildings on Campus

Although Wuhan University's history spans 131 years, the National Wuhan University on Luojia Mountain was established only after 1928.

Luojia Mountain was originally a burial ground, called "Luojiashan." Geologist Li Siguang chose it for its scenic landscape; forester Ye Yage planned its vegetation, while the first president, Wang Shijie, led faculty and students in reclaiming and planting trees to beautify it. The writer Wen Yiduo renamed it, giving Wuhan University its "Jia."

The nearby College of Science and the distant Administration Building form a "round heaven and square earth" layout.

At the foot of Luojia Mountain, buildings rise in tiers up the slopes, creating a majestic sight. The original plan placed the campus in the flat Zhuodaoquan area south of the mountain, but the American architect F.H. Kales, responsible for the campus design, chose the undulating hills to the north. The rolling terrain makes the buildings appear like musical notes. Amid turbulent times, Wuhan University became the only fully planned and swiftly completed university campus in China.

Climbing the "Hundred-Step Stairs" leads directly to the Cherry Blossom Summit.

What makes Wuhan University's architecture captivating is its blend of modern reinforced concrete structures with classical Chinese aesthetics, creating a visual resonance. The overall style is northern palace-like, with highlights such as the Baroque-style gable of the Songqing Gymnasium, the Byzantine dome of the Science Building, and the innovative octagonal hip-and-gable roof of the Old Library—a harmonious fusion of East and West.

The solemn and elegant Old Library of Wuhan University, a symbol of its spirit.

Wandering among these buildings, one often discovers "Easter eggs," such as the old dormitories of "Cherry Blossom Castle" named after phrases from the *Thousand-Character Classic*: "Heaven and Earth, Dark and Yellow; Universe, Vast and Wild..." The Science Building's dome faces the Administration Building's pyramidal roof across the field, echoing the "round heaven and square earth" concept. Due to a construction error, the eaves of the east-facing College of Liberal Arts and the west-facing College of Law differ—one upturned, the other flat—leading to playful interpretations like "literary flair" and "legal rigor."

Shortly after the completion of Wuhan University's second-phase construction, the War of Resistance broke out. In spring 1938, the university relocated westward to Leshan, Sichuan, embarking on a grand migration carrying national hope. Writer Zhu Dongrun recalled his arduous journey from Taixing, Jiangsu, to Leshan at the end of 1938: over a month, traveling from Shanghai to Hong Kong, then to Haiphong, Vietnam, onward to Kunming, east to Guiyang, then to Chongqing, and finally taking an expensive seaplane to Leshan. Amid national crisis, every step westward risked life and separation.

Wuhan University continued its journey through the flames of war.

Leshan Confucian Temple became its main teaching area, where faculty and students endured war, disease, and poverty under the gaze of ancient sages. Painter Guan Shanyue's *The Life of Professors Today* depicts mathematician Li Guoping reading by a humble rural stove—a scene unimaginable today. Qi Bangyuan recalled in *The Great River* how aesthetician Zhu Guangqian, after reciting a poem in English ("If anyone sighs for me, they pity me, not my sorrow"), removed his glasses, tears streaming, abruptly closed his book, and left the classroom, leaving stunned silence.

Amid the smoke of war, Wuhan University, alongside Central University (Chongqing), Southwest Associated University (Kunming), and Zhejiang University (Zunyi), became one of the "Four Great Universities" preserving academia. British historian Joseph Needham visited Leshan twice, noting, "In Jiading, Sichuan, people discussed nuclear physics in a temple overlooking Tibetan peaks."

Above: In late May 1943, President Wang Xinggong (center), Dean Zhu Guangqian (right), and Acting Dean of Sciences Ye Qiao (left) welcomed Dr. Joseph Needham at Leshan Confucian Temple.

Below: An aerial view of Leshan Confucian Temple, Wuhan University's wartime headquarters.

Source: Needham Research Institute, Cambridge, UK.

When Zhang Zhidong, Governor of Hunan and Hubei, founded the Self-Strengthening School in 1893, he envisioned a cultural hub in China's heartland. Whether in Wuhan or not, Wuhan University retains its grandeur, making the archway motto "Learn from the Great Han to Establish the Nation" a lasting spiritual emblem.

This bold spirit made Wuhan University a pioneer in reform. As early as the Republic era, it introduced swimming classes for female students, breaking feudal taboos. In 1977, chemistry professor Cha Quanxing proposed reinstating the college entrance exam to Deng Xiaoping, transforming millions of lives.

Today, Wuhan University remains a top-tier academic institution.

Generations of relentless Wuhan University people continue to write its enduring legacy.

In 2000, Wuhan University merged with neighboring Wuhan University of Hydraulic and Electric Engineering, Wuhan Technical University of Surveying and Mapping, and Hubei Medical University to form the new Wuhan University, establishing the current four-campus structure. Before the merger, Wuhan students had a saying: "Play at Wuhan University, study at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, eat at Wuhan Hydraulic, and love at Central China Normal University." After the merger, Wuhan University essentially combined all these aspects—eating, drinking, playing, and loving.

The "speed and passion" of the dragon boat team.

When it comes to "eating," Wuhan University students used to go to Guangbalu and Jiedaokou for treats, but now the campus boasts not only the Gongxuebu Canteen as a highlight but also the equally impressive Meiyuan and Guiyuan canteens. Wuhan University students truly know how to have fun—with over 200 student clubs, appearances on shows like "The Brain," "Chinese Poetry Conference," and "Genius Knows," and even spontaneous "mass sing-alongs" in pitch-black dormitories during power outages. Almost every Wuhan University student has participated in (or watched) debates. As a powerhouse in Chinese-language debating, debaters discussing topics can be seen everywhere on campus, with quirky team names and clever tactics off-stage before winning over audiences with eloquence on-stage.

Wuhan University students immersed in books during winter.

As for "studying at Huazhong University of Science and Technology"? Wuhan University currently has 16 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Engineering (excluding those deceased) and 15 national distinguished teachers. Just one course, "Introduction to Surveying," features lectures by six academicians in succession, arguably the strongest lineup in the universe. The university’s history is studded with luminaries like Marxist philosopher Li Da, chemist Zeng Zhaolun, geodesist Xia Jianbai, historian Tang Changru, economist Zhang Peigang, jurist Han Depei… the list goes on.

The most unbearable claim is "love at Central China Normal University"—people say you’d want to fall in love just for the sake of China’s most beautiful campus! In truth, Wuhan University students fall in love with their campus every single day. Wang Shijie, the first president of National Wuhan University, once served as the Republic of China’s Minister of Education and Foreign Minister, yet his final wish was to have only "Former President of National Wuhan University, Mr. Wang Xue Ting" engraved on his tombstone. Loving Wuhan University is an addiction.

Celebrity sculptures can be seen everywhere at Wuhan University.

Photo by Tian Chunyu

If you know someone from Wuhan University, you’ve surely heard them proudly mention their alma mater and reminisce with sparkling eyes. If you’re a Wuhan University graduate yourself, you likely belong to multiple alumni circles that transcend boundaries. Wuhan University has one of the most tightly-knit alumni networks in China. Recent new buildings on campus—the Computer Science Building (donated by Lei Jun), the Wanlin Art Museum (Chen Dongsheng), the Zhenhua Building (Mao Zhenhua), and the Zhuor Gymnasium (Yan Zhi)—were all funded by alumni.

It’s hard to pinpoint why Wuhan University alumni feel such strong loyalty to their alma mater. Perhaps it’s because the university embodies rare qualities: openness and freedom. Its campus is open, like a public park, unlike some schools that keep gates tightly guarded. Its academic events and lectures are open—Wuhan University actively encourages auditing and interdisciplinary growth, as long as you don’t get lost navigating other departments. Even its entertainment is open, like the Meiyuan Outdoor Movies, a 60-year tradition screening the latest films for free, rain or shine.

Though it’s not cherry blossom season now, Luojia Mountain is bustling once again. Wuhan University is ready to celebrate its anniversary—the once-congested Luojia Gate has been revitalized, the newly completed Zuotao Cultural Space opened this month, and over 50,000 heartfelt anniversary meals are prepared across campus canteens.

Before 2013, the top floor of the old library at Yingding was usually closed to the public. But now, alumni can climb the spiral staircase after touring the campus to reach the "top of Yingding" and take in the panoramic view. Gazing into the distance at the lush Luojia Mountain, Wuhan University graduates know that no matter where life takes them, Luojia will always be home.

Wuhan University alumni, welcome back "home"!

Text by Face (Wuhan University Class of 2014)

Tu Shangbiao, "Luojia Fengyun—Exploring the History of Wuhan University’s Campus," 2017

Qi Bangyuan, "The Great River," 2010

Liu Daoyu, "Confessions of a University President," 2005