Weiming Lake at Peking University

　　Weiming Lake is the largest artificial lake on the campus of Peking University, located in the central-northern part of the campus. At the southern end of the lake stands the sculpture of a "flipped-tail stone fish," while the center features an island connected to the north shore by a bridge. At the southern tip of the island lies a stone boat. The southern lakeshore is home to the Bell Pavilion, Linhu Xuan, the Temple of the Flower Goddess, and the tomb of Edgar Snow, while the eastern shore features the Boya Pagoda. It is one of the iconic landscapes of Peking University. Originally supplied by the Wanquan River, the area around Weiming Lake was once part of the Shuchun Garden during the Qing Dynasty. Emperor Qianlong bestowed this garden upon his favored courtier Heshen, who went on to build 64 pavilions, 357 corridors and pavilions, and over a thousand rooms in sheer extravagance. After Heshen’s downfall and confiscation of his properties, Shuchun Garden changed hands several times. During the Qing Dynasty, it was an artificial lake within Heshen’s garden, Shuchun Garden, which was annexed to the Old Summer Palace. The stone boat was modeled after the one in the Summer Palace, but its upper structure was later burned down, leaving only the stone base today. The significance of Weiming Lake to Peking University is akin to that of the Han and Tang dynasties to China. Beyond its inherent beauty, it has come to symbolize a cultural and spiritual icon. Embraced by Weiming North Road and Weiming South Road, a stroll along the eastern side of the lake allows visitors to experience the enchanting charm of Weiming Lake.

　　The scenery of Weiming Lake at Peking University is outstanding and has become an iconic feature of the university's landscape. However, few know its origin. It is said that during the 10th anniversary celebration of Yenching University, Professor Xie Bingying proposed naming the building “Linhu Xuan” (Facing the Lake Pavilion), a suggestion that was immediately well received. Professor Qian Mu further suggested naming the then-unnamed lake in front of the building “Weiming Lake” (Untitled Lake). Since then, the name Weiming Lake has been passed down. Speaking of the lake, we are reminded of the pagoda on it. In July 1924, Yenching University urgently needed to build a water tower to supply water to the entire campus. Someone proposed that a classical-style pagoda should be built among the traditional Chinese architectural complex of the Yan Garden to harmonize with the scenery by Weiming Lake. The perfect pairing of the lake and the pagoda is a stroke of genius by Weiming Lake, forever philosophical and thought-provoking. It can be said that the interplay of lake and pagoda has become an immortal myth in the landscape of the Yan Garden. The lake and the pagoda have souls—the souls of countless Peking University students and the very spirit of the university itself.

　　

　　Address: Central-northern part of Peking University, Haidian District, Beijing

　　Type: Lake

　　Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour

　　Opening hours:

　　Open all day

　　Ticket information:

　　No admission fee.