Peking University, August 21, 2026: Peking University (PKU) welcomed its newest cohort of students to campus on August 18, marking the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year with its annual "Move-in Day."

New students brought excitement and energy to the campus as they arrived to begin their university journeys. At the Khoo Teck Puat Sports Complex, they completed registration with the assistance of faculty members, staff, and student volunteers.

University leadership, including He Guangcai, chair of PKU Council, and Gao Song, president of PKU, welcomed the newcomers and congratulated them on joining the PKU community.

Several incoming students shared with PKU News why they chose Peking University and what they hoped to experience in the years ahead.

"I chose PKU because it offers a unique blend of academic rigor and a pioneering spirit," said Timothy, an engineering student from Hong Kong. Drawn by PKU's strong research culture and emphasis on innovation, Timothy hopes to combine theoretical knowledge with real-world impact. "My first impression was the beautiful contrast between historical heritage and high-tech energy," he said, adding that he was particularly impressed by the university's engineering facilities.


Yang Jiadong, a biology major, cited PKU's strong reputation in the life sciences as the main attraction. Looking ahead, he is particularly excited about gaining hands-on laboratory experience after years of textbook learning. "I really hope to design experiments, handle equipment, and see how biological questions are investigated firsthand," he said.


Jiang Shuhuai, an engineering student, was drawn to PKU by its profound history and cultural atmosphere. "I chose Peking University because I like the cultural atmosphere here. It is a university with profound history and rich culture," Jiang said. Describing his first impression, he said the campus looked "like an ancient school from a previous dynasty," with the spirit of the ancient shidafu, or scholar-officials, from the Han dynasty. Jiang plans to study theoretical dynamics while continuing his passion for literature. "Also, I want to write and publish my own novel," he said.


For Li Yinuo, a mathematics student, studying at PKU has been a long-held dream. "I have a great passion for math. As Peking University has the best math education, I have been dreaming of coming here for years," Li said. Describing PKU as an inclusive, diverse campus that blends past and present, Li looks forward to studying alongside talented peers and starting a new chapter of campus life.


To make Move-in Day a memorable experience, the registration process was woven into a variety of creative welcome activities designed to increase familiarity with new departments and new classmates, adding to the fun atmosphere inside the Sports Complex. 

Written by: Akaash Babar
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo
Photo: Akaash Babar, Liu Yan, Cao Hanxiao, Liu Luyi, Zhai Mengkun