Peking University (traditional Chinese: 北京大學; simplified Chinese: 北京大学; pinyin: Běijīng Dàxué), colloquially known in Chinese as Beida (北大, Běidà), is a major research university located in Beijing, China. It is the first formally established modern research university, and the first national university of China. It was founded as Imperial Capital University in 1898 as a replacement of the ancient Guozijian (國子監-国子监 guózǐjiàn). By 1920 it had become a center for progressive thought. Today, most national and international rankings frequently place Peking University as one of the best universities in China.In addition to its academics, Peking University is especially renowned for the beauty of its traditional Chinese architecture at its campus grounds.
Throughout its history, the university has distinguished itself from its peers in terms of intellectual freedom and has produced and hosted many of modern China’s top thinkers, including Lu Xun, Mao Zedong, Hu Shih, Li Dazhao, Gu Hongming, and Chen Duxiu. The Peking University was among the birth places for China’s New Culture Movement, May Fourth Movement and many other significant events.
Peking University
北京大学
Established: 1898
Type: National
President: Zhou Qifeng (周其凤)
Faculty: 4,206
Undergraduates: 15,128
Postgraduates: 15,039
Location: Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Campus: Urban, 273 ha
Former names: Imperial Capital University
Nickname: 北大, Běidà
Affiliations: IARU, AEARU, APRU, BESETOHA
Website: www.pku.edu.cn