Peking University, initially the Imperial University of Peking (“京师大学堂”), was established in July 1898 by a decree of the Qing Dynasty Emperor Guangxu. The Imperial University of Peking was then not only China’smost prestigious institution of higher learning, but also the highest administrative organ of higher education in China. In May 1912, the Imperial University of Peking was renamed “National Peking University ". In 1916, Mr. Cai Yuanpei became President of National Peking University. Under his policy of “freedom of thinking and incorporating diversity”, he reformed the University governance and laid foundation to the University’s patriotic and academic traditions. By 1919, the University developed into China's largest institution of higher education, with 14 departments and a total enrollment of more than 2,000 students.

Peking University has a glorious patriotic tradition. In 1919, the anti-imperialist and anti-feudal May Fourth Movement commenced from the University. This Movement fundamentally changed China’s course of history, and is considered as one of the most important turning points in the modern history of China.

After the Marco Polo Bridge Incident broke out in July 1937, a total war was waged upon China. Because of the war, National Peking University moved south to Changsha, Hunan Province. With danger looming, the Universitywas compelled to move again in 1938 to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. National Peking University, National Tsinghua University and Nankai University jointly formed National Southwestern Associated University. After World War II ended in 1946, National Peking University moved back to Beiping (Beijing). At that time, the University was composed of six schools (Arts, Science, Law, Medicine, Engineering and Agriculture), and a research institute for the humanities. Its total enrollment of student grew to 3,000.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the government reformed higher education, operating all the universities with the support of the state. Consequently, National Peking University changed its name as Peking University. In 1952 the government reorganized universities and colleges all over China to more quickly train personnel with specialized knowledge and skills. After the 1952 reorganization, Peking University became a university comprising departments of both liberal Arts and Sciences and emphasizing the teaching and research of basic sciences.

Since 1949, Peking University has trained more than 73,000 undergraduates and specialty students, more than 10,000 postgraduates and more than 20,000 adult-education students. Many of these students have become the backbones on all fronts in China.

May 4th 1998 was the centennial anniversary of Peking University. Chinese President Jiang Zemin announced a project to support a few elite universities in China. The project was soon named the “985 Project” in honor of the centennial anniversary of Peking University. The government especially endorsed Peking University and Tsinghua University to develop into world-class universities. With an extensive history and trandition of academic excellence, Peking University strives to become a world-class university in this new phase of its development.

To know more about the history of Peking Univeristy, please review the appendix "Historical Timeline".