Editor's Note: Reporters with PKU News were among the crowd of students and visitors at the open house on Saturday, and they offered their firsthand account of the event.  


Peking University, April 15, 2024: Peking University (PKU) hosted its 2024 Campus Open House Day and Undergraduate Admissions Consultation Event on April 13, 2024. The day's activities featured admissions information sessions, centralized consultations (including admissions inquiries for various departments and institutions), department and laboratory open houses, guided campus tours, and more, providing participants with a multidimensional and immersive experience of the University.

  
Nearly 20 locations on the main campus, including the Peking University Library, departmental laboratories, teaching centers, and the University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, among other facilities, welcomed visitors and offered a variety of specialized and engaging activities. 

Visitors not only had the opportunity to observe the learning environments of Peking University students firsthand but also got to see cutting-edge equipment and books from various disciplines. The University also provided shuttle buses in four time slots from the main campus to the Peking University Health Science Center, making it convenient and accessible for visitors to explore.

   
Among the attendees, high school student Bi Tianhao marveled at the grandeur of Peking University, commenting, "Peking University is much larger than I had imagined, and it is filled with elements of modern technology." Yang Zihan, another middle school student, expressed admiration for the campus's architectural charm and cultural significance, noting, "The buildings have a quaint charm, with deep cultural and literary significance. There are more historical and traditional Chinese architectural features than I thought."

The Department of Chinese Language and Literature organized a themed tour centered around "Shangsi Yaji", featuring booths showcasing Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing), folk customs, ancient Chinese instruments, printing techniques, Cuju (ancient Chinese football), and calligraphy on the Jingyuan campus. Visitors had the opportunity to tour the area and participate in interactive activities, collecting stamps to exchange for exquisite cultural and creative prizes.

  
On Open Day, the Nongyuan Canteen, Jiayuan Canteen, and Shaoyuan Canteen at the University were all open to students and parents, who could savor the culinary delights offered by Peking University.

As visitors roamed the campus, they were sure to encounter campus tour groups— identified by their flags labeled "Campus Tour". Nearly twenty visitors embarked on a journey of exploration in Yanyuan, accompanied by guides from Peking University's Student Service Corps. For approximately forty-five minutes, our group continued to grow as we encountered other visitors along the way who were also interested in the guides' presentations.


Our adventure began on the north side of the Khoo Teck Puat Sports Complex, where campus introduction booths lined the square. From there, we followed the road to the easternmost part of the campus, making our way from the teaching area to the lake. We strolled along the shaded path on the south bank of Weiming Lake, feeling the gentle spring breeze rustling the willow branches and cherry blossom petals drifting on the spring water.

"This isn't our first time at Peking University, but it's our first time joining the campus tour," one parent told PKU News. A high school student mentioned, "I love math, so I visited the library at the School of Mathematical Sciences first. The collection of books and the design of the library is truly impressive." 



Along the way, two elderly particularly enjoyed the spring scenery of Weiming Lake, opting to rest on a bench and watch the mandarin ducks play in the water. In addition, we also had the pleasure of witnessing alumni revisiting their alma mater. A graduate from the School of Software and Microelectronics remarked on discovering campus stories today that he hadn't known as a student. “Have you noticed the asymmetrical ornamental columns, the Huashen temple with only the gate left, or the countless stone tablets near the west gate?” he inquired. 

At the end of the "Yan Yuan" guided tour, participants had the option to continue their exploration either at the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology or the University History Museum — both places brimming with stories. With the sunlight fading and the gentle breeze in the air, the day's events came to a close, but for future PKUers, their journey to Peking University just begins.


Written by: Wang Mengjiao
Edited by: Niki Qiu
Photos by: Li Xianghua, Yan Linlin, Huang Xinru, Xu Yifeng, Su Chenxiang, Ji Peiwen, Zhang Haoran, Zheng Boyu, Zhu Chengxuan