Tsinghua University: Where Campus Wonders Come Alive!
What kind of magical campus will you discover?
This is China's "most running-proficient" university, where the passing standards are 9 minutes for women's 1500m and 18 minutes for men's 3000m. Yet it is not a "sports institute";
▲ Observatory. Photo by Tai Zhiqiang
This is China's "wealthiest" university, with annual expenditure reaching 31.728 billion yuan in 2021. However, national financial allocation accounts for less than one-fifth of its budget—it "spends more but earns even more";
▲ Library. Photo by A Guide of the Sewer
It is also the most trending university nationwide. From 2017 to 2020, it topped the list of "internet-famous universities" with 947 hours on hot search charts and 199 hot search entries (*data from NetEase Data).
▲ Tsinghua University's Second Gate. Image/VCG
As China's top university, Tsinghua's annual undergraduate "Special Scholarship" defense is jokingly called a "clash of the gods" by netizens. The slogan on the sports ground—"Work healthily for the motherland for fifty years"—is always widely celebrated... Every detail of it attracts the world's attention.
▲ Panoramic view of Tsinghua. Photo by Li Rui
So what exactly is "Tsinghua Yuan" (Tsinghua Garden)?
Tsinghua is a "grand garden"
Few universities are built on a royal garden whose construction was completed around the same time as the writing of *Dream of the Red Chamber*.
▲ Distant view of the Summer Palace from Tsinghua University, with towering mountains in the background. Photo by Liu Shuyi
The predecessor of Tsinghua Yuan, "Xichun Yuan," was situated among the royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty. In the distance, the "Three Mountains"—Longevity Hill, Jade Spring Hill, and Fragrant Hills—unfold layer by layer. On clear days, the continuous distant mountains can be seen from Tsinghua.
▲ Distant view of the Western Hills from Tsinghua University. Photo by Li Shangyuan
Tsinghua's vast layout makes it hard to find the exit even with nearly ten gates. Over a dozen canteens dazzle visitors. Its area of 4.421 million square meters is equivalent to 2 Monacos or 8 Vaticans. The campus blends Chinese classical gardens, Western-style architecture, and modern landscape styles, integrating classical and contemporary, rational and artistic, reserved and whimsical.
▲ Tsinghua University Art Museum. Photo by zero zero egg
▲ Qingfen Canteen. Photo by A Guide of the Sewer
The iconic Second Gate of Tsinghua—a memorial archway with blue bricks and white pillars—combines foreign columnar architecture with Chinese archway style, dignified and grand, forming a unique entity. Inscribed with the three characters "Tsinghua Yuan" by Na Tong, a grand secretary of the late Qing Dynasty, it has become an indelible iconic symbol of Tsinghua. The gate stands tall, like a condensed version of modern Chinese history.
▲ The Second Gate. Photo by Hu Jiawei
Passing through the Second School Gate, one is greeted by a lush, verdant lawn. At the far end of the prominent grassy field stands a sundial, inscribed on its base with the words "Actions Speak Louder Than Words." On the expansive lawn sits the Grand Auditorium, an European-style building that serves as the assembly center for Tsinghua students. Standing 44 meters tall, its main dome in ancient Roman artistic style and the Ionic-order white marble porch instantly transport visitors back to the classical world of the Italian Renaissance.
▲ Sundial inscribed with "Actions Speak Louder Than Words." Photo by Xi Ze
▲ Grand Auditorium. Photo by Guide of the Sewer
Southwest of the Grand Auditorium lies the Science Museum, designed by the renowned American architect Murphy and constructed starting in April 1917. Advanced building materials, exquisitely carved beams and columns, a magnificent dome, and dark red brick walls form this elegant, dignified three-story European-style building, blending classical and contemporary elements.
▲ Science Museum. Photo by Jiang Guangcong
Also designed by Murphy is the West Gymnasium, one of Tsinghua’s four early major buildings. The granite colonnade of the front hall gives the structure a distinct Western classical aesthetic. The rear hall seamlessly connects with the front, integrating harmoniously with the spacious West Sports Field and embodying a unique formal beauty.
▲ West Gymnasium. Photo by Guide of the Sewer
The Gongzi Hall, named for its resemblance to the Chinese character "工" (gōng) formed by its front and rear halls connected by a short corridor, was originally the Xichun Garden of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. Later, the name "Tsinghua Garden" was bestowed by Emperor Xianfeng’s imperial brush. The courtyard features winding corridors, red railings, painted beams, and varied elevations, with pine trees, cherry blossoms, and crabapple trees thriving in delightful harmony. Birds flitting through add to the serene atmosphere.
▲ Gongzi Hall. Photos 1 and 3 by Zero Egg; Photo 2 by Dong Du; Photo 4 by Xi Ze
Shuimu Tsinghua, located north of the Gongzi Hall, is one of the most popular attractions for visitors. With lush trees and charming scenery, a delicate ancient pavilion is nestled within, earning it the title "Garden within a Garden." The central inscription "水木清华" (Shuimu Tsinghua), in Emperor Kangxi’s calligraphy, draws from the phrase "water and wood are lucidly beautiful," which also inspired the name "Tsinghua" for the university.
▲ Shuimu Tsinghua. Photo 1 by Li Zhi; Photo 2 by Feng Ruixue
The Height of Buildings, The Greatness of Masters
At Tsinghua, "Where the Virtuous Gather" is an old residence.
▲ Statues of the Four Great Mentors. Photo by Yang Jiayi
More than a hundred academic giants and literary masters have left their marks here—the Western-style houses in Zhaolanyuan, the villas in Xinlin Yuan, the courtyard residences in West Yard... standing like monuments imbued with the memories of an era.
▲ Li Wenzheng Library. Photo by Jia Guihao
East of the Gongzi Hall stands the Tsinghua Xuetang (Tsinghua Hall), featuring a strong German classical architectural style. On April 29, 1911, with the sound of reading aloud, Tsinghua’s century-long history began. In the mid-1920s, Tsinghua’s School of Chinese Studies rose within this German-style building, where the "Four Great Mentors"—Wang Guowei, Liang Qichao, Zhao Yuanren, and Chen Yinke—gathered, marking the beginning of an era that produced many great masters.
▲ Tsinghua Xuetang. Photo 1 by Li Shangyuan; Photo 2 by Feng Ruixue; Photo 3 by Li Rui
At Xinlin No. 8 Yard, Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin made their home. Every afternoon at four, Chen Daisun, Zhang Xiruo, Jin Yuelin, and others would gather for "afternoon tea," exchanging and碰撞 ideas. Zhao Yuanren, "the Father of Modern Chinese Linguistics," and his wife Yang Buwei settled at No. 1 Zhaolanyuan. Here, Zhao devoted himself to writing, engaged in scholarly discussions, mentored students, and composed poetry. At West Yard No. 43, Wang Guowei spent the last two years of his life, completing nearly 40 works, including "Study on the Capital of the Western Liao Dynasty, Huo Ordo."
▲ Lingling Pavilion. Photo by Zero Egg
At Guyue Hall, a warm and romantic place, the encounter of the literary couple Yang Jiang and Qian Zhongshu left a mark of love. Here, they fell in love at first sight, supported each other through thick and thin, and remained devoted throughout their long lives. These old and new former residences, along with long and short memories, preserve the unique charm of the intellectuals of that era.
▲ Guyue Hall. Photo 1 by Mercy3, from Tuchong Creative; Photo 2 by Li Shangyuan.
Built on the foundation of a royal garden, Tsinghua Garden is like a large park, and Jinchun Garden is its most poetic corner—Zhu Ziqing's famous essay "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond" was born here. In spring, new greenery sways rhythmically, and in summer, blooming lotuses dance in the wind like fluttering sleeves. It complements the more famous "Shui Mu Tsinghua," becoming a shared memory for Tsinghua people and, of course, a memory "read and recited by heart" for students everywhere.
▲ Jinchun Garden. Photo by Zhou Qiang.
Between Shui Mu Tsinghua and Jinchun Garden's lotus pond, the Wanquan River, Tsinghua's campus river, flows like a jade belt around the two ponds. Like the Wanquan River, Tsinghua is vibrant and ever-flowing, entering from the west gate, passing through the West Yard, School of Science, West Sports Ground, Auditorium, Library, Southwest Associated University Monument, Lovers' Slope, Tingtao Yuan, and student dormitories. Winding for two kilometers, it connects the spring scenery of past and present, embodying the resilience and endurance of Tsinghua people.
▲ Photo 1: Peach blossoms by Yuquan River. Photo by Li Shangyuan; Photo 2: Lovers' Slope. Photo by Li Rui.
Youth Speeding By on Bicycles
Tsinghua University's dining halls are also special. The vast Tsinghua Garden has 19 dining halls, offering a wide variety of cuisines to satisfy everyone's taste buds. Though they are dining halls, they all have garden-style names—
Yushu Yuan, located between Building 18 and 19, features renowned chefs specializing in Sichuan and Cantonese cuisine, popular among all. Its simple and elegant environment makes it the top choice for faculty and student gatherings. Qingfen Yuan is always bustling with long queues during meal times, famous for its steamed buns and spicy hot pot. Tingtao Yuan, nestled by the Wanquan River amidst bamboo and pine trees, excels in specialty snacks and fast food. Xichun Yuan Restaurant, built in typical Hui-style architecture, is best known for Huaiyang cuisine. Guanchou Yuan, a dining hall for thousands, offers an extensive array of dishes. Zijin Yuan Restaurant, located in the northeast corner of Tsinghua, is massive and can accommodate 13,000 diners daily. Jinchun Yuan Restaurant, east of "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond," boasts beautiful scenery and mainly serves Shandong, Cantonese, and Sichuan cuisines.
▲ Qingfen Dining Hall. Photo 1 by Daoyou of the Sewage System; Photo 2 by Li Haoran.
On every street of Tsinghua University, bicycles speed by. The vast campus sees students shuttling between classrooms, dining halls, and study rooms on bicycles, much like their youth racing through academic pursuits.
Beyond its world-renowned academic atmosphere, Tsinghua University also has a rich cultural and artistic environment. As early as the 1920s and 1930s, Tsinghua's clubs were already thriving on a large scale—Tsinghua Weekly Society, Twenty Society, Rhetoric Research Society, Mandarin Speech and Debate Society, English Speech and Debate Society, Delta Society, Drama Society, Novel Research Society, Tsinghua Literature Society, Qingtan Collection, and more. Among the key members and founders of these societies were renowned Tsinghua figures such as Wen Yiduo, Liang Shiqiu, and Gu Yuxiu.
▲ Photo 1: Dance Club. Photo by Li Rui; Photo 2: Morning Running Team. Photo by Yang Liying.
"As Heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-perfection. As Earth's condition is receptive devotion, a gentleman should hold the outer world with broad virtue." Under the "Tsinghua Garden," countless farewells of the past and joyful arrivals of newcomers have been witnessed. In this vibrant spring, I want to walk hand in hand with you, watch the Chinese redbuds bloom, and witness the youth speeding by on bicycles.
▲ Tsinghua during the anniversary celebration. Photo by Xi Ze.
Text Editor | Heming Fenwei
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