China's prestigious Peking University and Tsinghua University, which have been recently listed as cultural relics under state protection, have now become scenic attractions bringing an increasing number of local visitors.

Sources with the State Administration of Cultural Heritage say that it is the first time that well-known higher educational institutions have been officially granted the title of China's key cultural heritage since 1949.

Peking University was founded in 1898 and part of its site used to be gardens in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The university is now located on the site of a number of ancient gardens and is well-known for the beautiful scenery around Lake Weiming also on the campus.

Tsinghua University was built in 1911 on the site of "Qing Hua Yuan," the former royal garden of the Qing Dynasty. Most of the university was constructed in the 1920s and is the epitome of modern Chinese university buildings.

Luo Sen, an architecture professor at Tsinghua, said that protection of the university buildings will help to safeguard relevant cultural landmarks in Chinese history.

In addition to the historical scenery, the two key universities have for years remained dream places to receive higher education among China's students.

Parents usually take their children on weekend tours of the two universities which are located in the northwest tip of Beijing, encouraging them to study hard so one day they may become students in one of the two universities.

(People's Daily January 07,2002)