Stroll through the world’s most beautiful university campus—step into the romantic Cambridge of Xu Zhimo’s poetry

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mo Fei  Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mo Fei
 
Lightly I left, as lightly I came; I waved my hand lightly to bid farewell to the rosy clouds of the western sky. The Cambridge that Xu Zhimo wrote about is simply captivating, with its long history and exquisite architecture—what a blessed thing it is to study here.

The University of Cambridge, located in the city of Cambridge, UK, is the second oldest university in the English-speaking world and the fourth oldest surviving university in the world. It originated when a group of scholars from Oxford University moved to Cambridge after clashing with the townsfolk there.

The University of Cambridge established its first college in 1284. From the 17th to the late 19th century, the university placed great emphasis on mathematics education, especially mathematical physics. At that time, all students were required to take this course—even those studying literature.

The University of Cambridge operates under a collegiate system, currently consisting of 31 colleges. Each college has its own library, and the university itself also maintains a central library. In total, there are 114 libraries across Cambridge, boasting an astonishing collection of books.

Within the University of Cambridge, each individual college charges a separate admission fee, which varies. However, paying the fee allows visitors access to professional guides who provide detailed explanations about the college’s history and architectural features.