Weiming Lake and the Yan Garden Architectural Complex

Weiming Lake and the Yan Garden Architectural Complex

Weiming Lake and the Yan Garden Architectural Complex are designated as Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Weiming Lake and the Yan Garden Architectural Complex were included in the list of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in 2001. Situated within the campus of Peking University in Haidian District, Beijing, this site was the original location of Yenching University, a renowned modern university. The university constructed its campus buildings around the former site of the Ming Dynasty’s famous “Shao Garden.” Construction began in 1920 and was completed in 1926, resulting in an excellent example of modern architecture inspired by classical Chinese design.

The architectural complex is arranged in a radial layout centered around Weiming Lake.

Most of the building groups follow a traditional Chinese courtyard (sanheyuan) style. The overall layout is rational, with appropriately scaled sections that integrate well with the natural terrain. Most structures are two to three stories high. Major buildings feature gray tiles, red pillars, stone steps, light-colored walls, and traditional bracket sets (dougong) and beams decorated with painted patterns beneath their eaves. Secondary buildings adopt a more vernacular or garden-style design, while the lakeside water tower is an octagonal, closely-eaved structure. The garden also preserves some relics from Ming and Qing Dynasty gardens, as well as stone carvings relocated from the ruins of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan). The Weiming Lake area today remains largely unchanged from its original appearance.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level