Peking University, November 9, 2022: The fourth floor of the Jiayuan Dining Hall has become synonymous with not only delicious Western cuisine but also enchanting piano melodies. The source of the music? A grand piano—or the “Jiasi Piano,” as the students affectionately refer to it—sitting quietly at the center of the room. That is, until the deft fingers of a talented pianist begin to dance across its keys and bring it to breath-taking life. The piano welcomes all players, professional and amateur alike. Anyone who wishes to try their hands at the piano can play it to their hearts’ content – which they do superbly – and serenade the entire room with their very own expressions of music.
The grand piano on the 4th floor, Jiayuan Dining Hall
Student journalists recently interviewed a few of these “unnamed pianists” to explore how it feels to be a part of the musical phenomenon at Jiayuan. As Wu Youyang, a first-year undergraduate from School of Governance, says, “I never expected a grand piano in the school’s dining hall. I was really excited when I walked into the dining hall and saw the piano.” As someone with a 14-year-long acquaintance with the piano, Wang believes that being inclusive and accepting is an important part of playing the piano, as musicality spans all genres and styles.
Wu Youyang, piano player and first-year undergraduate from the School of Governance
On his “debut performance,” Chen Guanyi, a junior from School of Mathematical Sciences, says, “Even though I was a little nervous about playing the piano in the dining hall, I really wanted to try nonetheless,” adding that it is always a pleasant surprise when the crowd sings along to his playing. Tang Yunxin, a first-year undergraduate from School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, notes that the piano is an appropriate addition to the Jiayuan Dining Hall, contributing to the cozy and tasteful atmosphere of the space.
Left: Chen Guanyi, junior from the School of Mathematical Sciences; Right: Tang Yunxin, first-year undergraduate from the School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science
The piano has long been a hallmark of every student and staff member’s love for music. Perhaps it is also an apt symbol of PKU’s romantic, sentimental side – that despite looming deadlines and hectic schedules, there is still space for art, even if only for a little while during lunchtime.
Written by: Yang Ruoxiang
Edited by: Ma Yaoli
Source: PKU News (
Chinese)
