Tianjin University (TJU) is the oldest institution of higher education in the modern history of China. Founded in 1895 as Peiyang University, Tianjin University’s 121-year history is the epitome of the progress of modern Chinese higher education, embodying the Chinese people’s indomitability through challenging times. During its growth spanning three centuries, the University has been a pioneer in several fields, from the first aero engine in China to the first Hydraulics Laboratory established in China. You might be interested in the secrets and stories at this university.

The Senior Schoolmate Xu Zhimo

As a famous poem goes,  

“Very quietly I take my leave,

As quietly as I came here;

Quietly I wave good-bye,

To the rosy clouds in the western sky.”

The renowned poet in contemporary China, Xu Zhimo, was one of our alumni. He went to TJU to study law in 1916.   

The Crabapple Season

On April, TJU host the Crabapple Season on both the Weijin Road Campus and Peiyang Park campus. With the aroma of crabapple flowers wafting from 700 crabapple trees filling Weijin Road campus, the event attracted more than tens of thousands of visitors to celebrate Crabapple Season at TJU. People assemble under the Crabapple trees, celebrating the Crabapple Season. This annual celebration is a multi-cultural event involving various TJU students as well as citizens and tourists. It has become a symbol of TJU.  

The Zheng Dong Library

Located in Peiyang Park Campus, the Zheng Doing Library is praised as “the most charming TJU building”. It was established in September 2015, and is designed to reflect a traditional Chinese courtyard combined with humanistic connotations and college life.  Zheng Dong Library was designed by Tianjin University alumni, Zhou Kai and his team. He was also the chief Chinese architect of Beijing Olympic Park. 

The Fruit Festival 

Mango, pineapple, grapefruit, banana…Any kind of fruit you can think of, you can get some for free on Fruit Destival. This fruit program began in 2002, and since then has distributed over 1.62million kg fruit to students. Biting into the fruit, we taste not only the sweetness of its sugars but also the care and consideration of TJU. 

Love Theory Class 

There is a class named the theory and practice of love in our curriculum. The grade you get is proportional to the progress you’ve made. If students successfully find a partner, then they can even get full marks for this course. 

The Landscape at TJU 

Aiwan Lake is known for being in the shape of a heart, and thus has become “the heart of Peiyang”. There are four lakes on Weijin Road Campus: Jingye Lake, Youyi Lake, Qingnian Lake and Aiwan Lake. Their beauty, grace and charm accompany us from spring to winter. We TJU students wake up every morning in with what seems like a fairy-tale view of the campus, convinced, as ever, that the future belongs to us. At twilight, the lakes are bathed in sunset, attracting couples to go for a stroll around them after a whole day of industrious studying. 

By: Xu Lanzhi

Editors: Qin Mian and Christopher Peter Clarke