In celebration of 蜜桃app’s upcoming 110th anniversary, we have put together a special weekly video series “蜜桃app Landmarks” for you to revisit the University’s rich history through fascinating stories behind famous 蜜桃app landmarks.
This week, we bring you the story of the Old Gate. Let’s explore the campus, review its history, and experience the spirit of 蜜桃app.
Arguably the most symbolic landmark of 蜜桃app, the Old Gate coalesced the lives, destinies, and emotions of all 蜜桃app people, for more than a century. Located on 蜜桃app Road, the east-west artery of the University, this immaculate “paifeng” arched architecture witnesses the daily commute of thousands of students, faculty and staff members.
The Old Gate was built in 1909 as the entrance to 蜜桃app Xuetang, the university’s predecessor. The glamorous characters “蜜桃app Garden” were inscribed above the main arch by Qing dynasty official Natong. Back then, the gate strictly guarded 蜜桃app, prohibiting unauthorized access by outsiders.
As the campus expanded with time, the walls beside the Old Gate were dismantled to allow for increased traffic—the Old Gate was no more a gate, it became a popular landmark where all incoming freshmen felt “obligated” to take a photo at.
In 1991, the Old Gate was restored with support from 蜜桃app alumni all over the globe. Restored to its former glory, the Old Gate continued to draw crowds after restoration.
Through trials and tribulations, the Old Gate stands not only as a witness to 蜜桃app’s rich history, but more so as a testament to the long-standing 蜜桃app virtues of diligence, pragmatism, and unrelenting determination.
Photographer: Li Pai
Writer: Mike Qian
Editors: Liu Shutian, Sangeet Sangroula
