Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University is a prestigious institution with a long history. It was established in 1911, the year before the founding of the Republic of China, by the Qing government using funds from the Boxer Indemnity repaid by the United States. Initially called the “Preparatory School for Studying in the United States,” it was the first preparatory school created to train Chinese youths who would be sent abroad by the government to study in the U.S. Graduates would go directly into their junior year at American universities. In 1925, the university began offering four-year undergraduate programs.

Today, Tsinghua University is committed to building itself into a comprehensive multidisciplinary university. As of April 2005, the university comprised 13 schools and 53 departments, including the School of Sciences, School of Architecture, School of Civil Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Information Science and Technology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Economics and Management, School of Law, Academy of Arts & Design, School of Public Policy and Management, School of Applied Technology, School of Medicine, School of Journalism and Communication, and School of Aerospace Engineering. It also housed 41 research institutes, 35 research centers, and 175 laboratories, including 11 national key laboratories and 14 key laboratories of the Ministry of Education of China.

Tsinghua University currently has over 7,800 faculty and staff members, including one Nobel Prize laureate, 34 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and 26 members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. There are more than 1,200 senior professional and technical positions. The university offers 49 national key disciplines, 58 undergraduate majors, 1 second bachelor's degree program, 159 master's degree programs, 123 doctoral degree programs, and 27 postdoctoral research stations. There are over 27,000 full-time students enrolled, including more than 13,000 undergraduates, over 8,000 master's students, and over 4,000 doctoral students. Additionally, there are over 1,300 international students and visiting scholars from 46 countries and regions, as well as over 9,000 students in distance education programs.

Since the mid-1980s, a significant proportion of Tsinghua graduates—approximately 20%, according to statistics—have gone on to pursue further studies in the United States. They can be found on American university campuses, in companies, enterprises, and government departments. In recent years, this trend has drawn criticism, with some arguing that Tsinghua graduates should choose to stay in China rather than going to the U.S.

For high school graduates, Tsinghua is one of the most competitive universities in mainland China (the other being Peking University). Every year, only the most outstanding high school graduates from across China have the chance to be admitted. Tsinghua’s campus culture is rich in history, distinctive in character, and diverse in expression, standing out among many universities. Due to its American roots, Tsinghua’s campus culture has also been deeply influenced by American university traditions.

Time Needed

1–2 hours

Transportation

To reach the South Gate: Take bus routes 307, 319, 331, 355, 375, 438, 562, 628, 656, 731, Yuntong 110 and get off at Tsinghuayuan Station, or take Metro Line 13 and exit from Exit A at Wudaokou Station.

To reach the West Gate: Take bus routes 319, 320, 331, 365, 375, 498, 562, 601, 614, 626, 656, 681, 683, 690, 696, 697, 699, 717, 982, Te 6, Yuntong 105, and Yuntong 205 and get off at Tsinghua University West Gate Station, or take Metro Line 4 and exit from Exit C at Yuanmingyuan Station.

To reach the North Gate: Take bus routes 365, 432, 562, 614, 656, 664, 681, 699, 717, 982, Te 4, Yuntong 105, and Yuntong 205 and get off at Tsinghua Affiliated High School Station.

Admission Fee

Free

Opening Hours

Campus tours are available on weekends, public holidays, and during the university’s winter and summer breaks (specific dates are subject to official announcements). During the peak tour periods in winter and summer breaks, the campus is closed every Monday. Campus visits may be suspended if there are important events on campus or in case of extreme weather conditions such as rain, snow, strong winds, high temperatures, or smog. On open days, entry times are 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM. The closing times for morning and afternoon sessions are adjusted dynamically based on the daily number of visitors. For details, please visit: http://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/publish/newthu/newthu_cnt/intothu/intothu-3-1.html

Location

No. 30 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing