Peking University is a comprehensive and national key?university. The campus, known as "Yan Yuan"（the garden of Yan）, is situated at Haidian District in the western suburb of Beijing, with a total area of 2,743,532 square meters (or 274 hectares). It stands near to the Yuanmingyuan Garden and the Summer Palace.

Peking University is proud of its outstanding faculty, including 53 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 7 members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and 14 members of the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).

The university has effectively combined research on important scientific subjects with the training of personnel with a high level of specialized knowledge and professional skill as demanded by the country's socialist modernization. It strives not only for improvements in teaching and research work, but also for the promotion of interaction and mutual promotion among various disciplines.?
Thus Peking University has become a center for teaching and research and a university of a new type, embracing diverse branches of learning such as basic and applied sciences, social sciences and the humanities, and sciences of medicine, management, and education. Its aim is to rank among the world's best universities in the future.
Peking University, colloquially known in Chinese as Beida, is a major research university located in Beijing, China, and a member of the C9 League. It is the first formally established modern national university of China. It was founded as Imperial Capital University in 1898 as a replacement of the ancient Guozijian (guózǐjiàn). By 1920 it had become a center for progressive thought. Today, most national and international rankings frequently place Peking University as one of the best universities in China. In addition to its academic sucess, Peking University is especially renowned for the beauty of its traditional Chinese architecture at its campus grounds.
Throughout its history, the university has distinguished itself from its peers in terms of intellectual freedom and has produced and hosted many of modern China's prominent thinkers, especially including disputed figures like Lu Xun, Mao Zedong, Gu Hongming, Hu Shih, Li Dazhao, Gu Hongming, and Chen Duxiu[8]. Peking University was influential in the birth of China's New Culture Movement, May Fourth Movement, the Tiananmen Square protest of 1989 and many other significant events.

The famous scholar Cai Yuanpei was appointed president on January 4, 1917, and helped transform the university into the country's largest institution of higher learning, with 14 departments and an enrollment of more than 2,000 students.Cai, inspired by the German model of academic freedom, recruited an intellectually diverse faculty that included Hu Shi, Chen Duxiu, and Lu Xun. In 1919, students of Peking University formed the bulk of the protesters of the May Fourth Movement. Efforts by the Beiyang government to end the protests by sealing off the Peking University campus led to Cai's resignation. In 1920, Peking University became the second Chinese university to accept female students, after Nanjing University.

The white marble huabiao , or ornamental pillars on the campus ground. After the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 (and the resulting expansion of Japanese territorial control in east China), Peking University moved to Changsha and formed the Changsha Temporary University along with Tsinghua University and Nankai University. In 1938, the three schools moved again, this time to Kunming, and formed the National Southwestern Associated University.

In 1946, after World War II, Peking University moved back to Beijing. At that time, the university comprised six schools (Arts, Science, Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Agriculture), and a research institute for humanities. The total student enrollment grew up to 3,000.In 1952, three years after the People's Republic of China was established, Yenching University was merged into Peking University and Peking University lost its "national" appellation to reflect the fact that all universities under the new socialist state would be public. In 1952 Peking University moved from downtown Beijing to the former Yenching campus. The first disturbances of the Cultural Revolution began at Peking University in 1966; education there ceased between 1966 and 1970.
In 2000, Beijing Medical University was merged into Peking University and became the Peking University Health Science Campus. Beida now has eight affiliated hospitals and 12 teaching hospitals.
In 2001, Peking University set up a satellite campus in Shenzhen. The university's second business school was launched on this campus in 2004, and was renamed Beida HSBC School of Business in 2008.

The Weiming Lake, located in the middle of the university campus. Most national and international ranks of Chinese universities, place Peking University amongst top universities in China. THE-QS World University Rankings (known from 2010 onwards as the QS World University Rankings) in 2006 ranked Peking University as the 14th best university in the world, taking the highest spot in Asia; the same ranking in 2007 placed the University at 36th and in 2008, it was ranked at the 50th.

Human Resources & Labor Review published in Chase career Network, ranked the university 41st internationally for 2009. The Academic Ranking of World Universities 2008 placed the University between 201 and 300.Peking University is a national key university. The University consists of 30 colleges and 12 departments, with 93 specialties for undergraduates, 2 specialties for the second Bachelor's degree, 199 specialties for Master's degree candidates and 173 specialties for Doctoral candidates. While in a leading position of basic sciences research and teaching, the university has gained itself very successful development of applied sciences. At present, Peking University has 216 research institutions and research centre’s, including 2 national engineering research centre’s, 81 key national disciplines, 12 national key laboratories. With 4.5 million holdings, the university library is the largest of its kind in Asia.
The university has made an effort to combine the research on fundamental scientific issues with the training of personnel with high level specialized knowledge and professional skill as demanded by the country's modernization.
Peking University has been becoming a center for teaching and research, consisting of diverse branches of learning such as pure and applied sciences, social sciences and the humanities, and sciences of management and education.
Over the past century, more than 400 Peking University alumni had become presidents of other major Chinese universities, including former Tsinghua President Luo Jialun, Renmin University President Yuan Baohua, Zhejiang University President Qian Sanqiang, Fudan University President Zhang Zhirang, Nankai University President Teng Weizao, Chinese University of Science and Technology President Guan Weiyan and many others.

The campus of Peking University was originally located north of Forbidden City in the center of Beijing, and was later moved to the former campus of Yenching University in 1952. The current campus is located in northwest Beijing, in the Haidian district, which was concentrated with many well known colleges and universities.
The Peking University's campus site is also situated near the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace; the area is traditionally where many of Beijing's most renowned gardens and palaces were built.
The Peking University campus is situated on a former royal garden. The university campus is located in the former site of Qing Dynasty royal gardens and it retains traditional Chinese-style landscaping including traditional houses, gardens, pagodas as well as many notable historical buildings and structures. There are several gates that lead into campus - East, West and South gates, with the West Gate being the most well known for the painted murals on its ceiling. The Peking University is known throughout China, along with its neighbors, Tsinghua University, for their beautiful campuses. The university campus is surrounded by the Weiming Lake.
The university also hosts many museums, such as the "Museum of University History" and the "Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology". Notable items in these museums include funerary objects that were excavated in Beijing and date back thousands of years from the graves of royalties of the Warring States period. There are ritual pottery vessels as well as elaborate pieces of jewelry on display. There are also bones of human remains set up in the traditional burial style of that period.
Beyond its main campus, Peking University Health Science Center (PKUHSC) is located in Xue Yuan Rd. where the country's most distinguished colleges are located. The PKUHSC's campus is less aesthetically appealing than the main Peking University campus, but is nonetheless a fitting site for academics and research.
In 2001, Peking University's Shenzhen campus, Shenzhen Graduate School, opened its doors. The campus is located in the northwest part of Shenzhen City.
A performance of “Kunqu” at the Peking UniversityIn 2008, the THE-QS World University Rankings (known from 2010 onwards as the QS World University Rankings) ranked the Peking University as the 23rd best universities in the world in arts and humanities; it is also the highest ranked university from Asia in this field. The Peking University was previously ranked as the 18th (2007 rankings), 10th (2006 rankings), 6th (2005 rankings), and 7th (2004 rankings) best arts and humanities universities in the world.
The Peking University is well-known for its contribution to modern Chinese literature, poetry and art, and for the publications of groundbreaking modern Chinese books such as Hong Zicheng's A History of Contemporary Chinese Literature. The Peking University has been participating in many art-research projects, such as the Center for the Art of East Asia (CAEA) with the University of Chicago, and developing the "Peking University, Department of Digital Art and Design" with UNESCO. The Peking University also partners with the Stanford University for its Asian cultural studies programs such as "The Stanford Program in Beijing" and "The Stanford-Peking University Summer Program", which encourages Stanford students interested in exploring Chinese language, history, culture, and society to study on campus at Peking University. It also maintains a joint institute with the University of Michigan, which provides joint academic programs to students from both schools.

The Director of the National Institute of Economic Research, Professor of Economics of the Peking University and Professor of the graduate school of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences is Prof. Fan Gang. Dr. Fan had more than 100 academic papers published in both Chinese and English academic journals, more than 200 articles in newspapers and magazines and had also published several books.
Office buildings Justin Lin, the founding director of the institute, is the World Bank's chief economist, the first time the post has gone to a candidate outside Europe and the United States.

The dormitories for international students are located at "Shao Yuan" (Spoon Garden). Every year, Peking University has approximately 2,000 international students studying on campus. Its international students are made up of students from most countries in the world including most of Western Europe, North America, South America, all parts of Asia, Australia as well as many countries in Africa.
In 2005, Peking University and Cornell University signed an agreement formally establishing the China and Asia-Pacific Studies major at Cornell, which requires students to spend a semester studying at Peking University while working at internships. One year later, Peking University launched a joint undergraduate program with the Yale University; students will spend a semester overseas, living and studying together with the host institute's students.

Beida Students & May Fourth Movement Peking University has produced many notable people, especially prominent thinkers in modern China. These include disputed figures like Hu Shi, Li Dazhao and Lu Xun. Beida also has two Nobel Prize winners, Tsung-Dao Lee and Yang Chen Ning, although both conducted their Nobel winning work at Universities in the US. Since the year 1948, 586 Peking University alumni have been selected into the renowned Academic Division of the Chinese Academy of Science, overshadowing any other universities in China.
Peking University is the home both to communist, nationalist and liberal thoughts in modern China. Mao Zedong, Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao, all founders of the Communist Party of China, either taught or held offices in the university. Lu Xun, a great contemporary writer, thinker and influential figure of the Chinese New-Culture Movement, which took place in 1919 and sparked China’s anti-imperialism and anti-feudalism march, was also attached to the university. During the Cultural Revolution, Peking University philosophy faculty Nie Yuanzi notoriously published the first Big-character poster. Peking University students also led at the Tiananmen Square Protest of 1989 for democracy.

Hu Shih–philosopher, writer and a leader of China's New Culture Movement
Lu Xun–a remarkable writer, an important figure of China's New Culture Movement
Chen Duxiu–dean of letters, a leader of China's New Culture Movement, later co-founder of Communist Party of China
Gu Hongming–writer, an advocater of tradational Chinese monarchy. Gu preserved his plait even after the overthrow of Qing Dynasty
Liu Shipei–historian and philosopher, an advocate of traditional Chinese monarchy
Shen Congwen–writer
Qian Xuantong–linguist
Lin Yutang–writer, inventor of the first Chinese typewriter and a new method of romanizing the Chinese language
Qian Mu–historian, philosopher and Confucian. One of the founders of New Asia College and Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Liang Shuming–modern neo-Confucians. Liang was most famous for his critique of Marxist class theory, stating that, despite obvious disparities of wealth, Chinese rural society could not be unambiguously classified along class lines. One and the same family (particularly the large patriarchal lineages found in many regions) would commonly have some members among the "haves" and others among the "have-nots". The class struggle advocated by the Maoists would necessitate kinsmen attacking each other.
Ma Yinchu–a prominent population economist, whose New Population Theory was criticized by Mao since 1957 for two decades. Having examined trends of the early 1950s, Ma argued that further population growth at such high rates would be detrimental to China's development. Therefore, he advocated government control of fertility. In 1979, the Communist Party formally apologies to Ma, stating that "erroneously criticized one person, population mistakenly increased 300,000,000".
Jiang Menglin–a prominent education reformer in China and former President of Peking University and Zhejiang University
Xu Beihong–the most famous Chinese artist, dean of Beida School of Arts, President of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and chairman of the Chinese Artists' Association.
Ta-You Wu–the "Father of Chinese Physics". His many illustrious students include Chen Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee, co-winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957, Yuan Tseh Lee, the co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1986.
Yu Dafu–modern Chinese short story writer and poet, author of Ch'en-lun "Sinking" (1921)
Wang Xiaobo–writer
He Weifang–judicial reformist
Wang Tieya–jurist, Judge of International Criminal Court
Li Haopei–jurist, Judge of International Criminal Court
Fei Xiaotong–researcher of sociology and anthropology; chairman of China Democratic Alliance.
Jian Bozan–historian

Cai Yuanpei, early University ChancellorCai Yuanpei – early University Chancellor
Yan Fu–early University Chancellor
Li Dazhao–head librarian, later co-founder of Communist Party of China

Mao Zedong – staff librarian, leader of Communist Party of China
Bertrand Russell – lecturer in Philosophy (1920-1921)
Alexander von Sta?l-Holstein (1918-1937 in Beijing) – lecturer and professor in Ideology, Teleology, Sinology and Phonetics

Fan Changjiang – journalist and writer
Feng Youlan–philosopher[40]
Mao Dun - writer and journalist[8]
Xu Zhimo–poet
Zhang Chengzhi – writer
Zhu Ziqing–poet[41]
Dolma Kyab – writer (currently political prisoner)
Jan Wong – writer (one of the first western students permitted to study aboard.)
Qian Xuantong and Liu Bannong–writers and promotion of the New Culture Movement
Shen Qing– Publisher of Rui, monthly magazine of Financial Times

Michael Halliday – developed systemic functional grammar
Tian Gang–mathematician
Li Yining–economist
Tsung-Dao Lee (Li Zhengdao)–Honorary professor, physicist, Nobel Prize laureate (physics, 1957)
Yang Zhenning–Honorary professor (at Tsinghua as well), physicist, Nobel Prize laureate, 1957
Justin Yifu Lin–economist (now the chief economist of World Bank)
Yu Jie – First house church leader to meet an American president (May 2006, meeting George W Bush in the White House)
Yu Min – physicist, Father of Chinese H-bombs
Luo Jialun–leader of the May Fourth Movement, president of Tsinghua University
Fu Sinian–educator and linguist; leader of the May Fourth Movement, creators of the Academia Sinica, former president of National Taiwan University
Gu Jiegang– a Chinese historian; the founder of the Skeptical school of early Chinese history, known as yigupai; best known for the seven volume work Gushi Bian (古史辨 "Debates on Ancient History").
Ren Jiyu–Chinese historian and philosopher, former director of the National Library.
Deng Jiaxian–a nuclear physics expert; a leading organizer and key contributor to the Chinese nuclear weapon programs.
Qian Sanqiang–a nuclear physicist and education administrator; a leading organizer and key contributor to the Chinese nuclear weapon programs; former president of Zhejiang University
Zhu Guangya–a renowned nuclear physicist of China, key contributor to China's "Two Bombs, One Satellite" projects.
Zhou Guangzhao–expert on particle physics, discoverer of PCAC (partial conservation of axial current), an important step toward the understanding of symmetry breaking; former director of the Chinese Nuclear Weapons Research Institute and president of the Academica Sinica.

The gate of the Flora Temple on the eastern bank of the Weiming Lake, Bo Xilai – Party Secretary General of Chongqing, Former Minister of Commerce
Cai Wu–Minister of Culture
Deng Nan–Former Vice minister of the State Science and Technology Commission
Deng Pufang–founder and Chairman of China Disabled Persons' Federation
Guo Gengmao–Governor of Henan Province
Hu Chunhua –Youngest governor in China, former First Secretary of the Communist Youth League
Hu Deping –vice chairman of All-China General Chamber of Industry & Commerce Party, Secretary of National Association of Industry and Commerce, and vice minister of the Propaganda Department
Li Keqiang–Politburo Standing Committee member, First Deputy Prime Minister
Li Yuanchao –Politburo member and Minister for the Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party
Li Zhaoxing–minister of foreign affairs
Lu Hao–First Secretary of Communist Youth League of China
Yuan Chunqing–Governor of Shaanxi Province, Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
K. Natwar Singh – India politician
Chen Duxiu–founding member and leader in the Communist Party of China
Zhang Guotao–founding member and leader in the Communist Party of China
Li Dazhao–founding member and leader in the Communist Party of China
Mao Zedong–founding member and leader in the Communist Party of China
Deng Zhongxia–founding member and leader in the Communist Party of China
Wang Dan–Leader of the Tiananmen protests in 1989
Fang Lizhi–Spiritual leader of the Tiananmen Protests in 1989
Shen Tong–Author, Pro-democracy activist

Boya Pagoda by the Weiming Lake, one of the landmarks on the campus among the "top 300 richest in China"27 graduated from Beida, much higher than any other Chinese university. The second ranking school is Zhejiang University, with 17 alumni on the list.
Li Yanhong–founder of “Baidu.com”
Wang Xuan–founder of Founder Co.
Wang Zhidong–founder of “Sina.com”
Yu Minhong–founder of New Oriental Education Group
Peggy Yu–founder of dangdang.com, the largest online retailer in Chinese language.
Yan Yan – founding partner of Soft-Bank China
Li Ning–founder of Li Ning Group
Huang Nubo–founder of Zhongkun Real Estate Group
James Jian Ding–founder of Asiainfo, founding partner of Golden Sand River Venture Capital
Yu Liang – CEO of China Vanke Group
Shen Tong–founder and president of VFinity