Landmarks
The campus of CUHK, fronting onto the sea and built along the hillside, covers an area of 137.3 hectares. CUHK commands panoramic views of Tolo Harbour and Pat Sin Leng, and is the largest and greenest campus in Hong Kong. A stroll from the MTR University Station to any of the University’s Colleges may take you past a lily pond, rare trees, a Chinese pavilion, a tree-lined mall, monastic courtyards, a Chinese medicinal garden, famous sculptures, award-winning architecture and a plethora of other sceneries and structures as diverse and delightful. Below are some of our iconic landmarks:
1. University Main Entrance/ Chinese Pillars
Located at Tai Po Road, the stone tablet with our University’s name and the four stone pillars next to the entrance is the University Main Entrance. The Chinese calligraphy on the stone tablet was written by Dr. Choh-Ming Li, the first Vice-Chancellor of CUHK.
The four stone pillars alongside the main entrance are the traditional Chinese architecture namely ‘Huabiao’, or ‘publicity posts’ in ancient times. CUHK’s Huabiao are unadorned and clear-cut in form, representing the University’s open and liberal spirit as well as its social consciousness.
2. University Mall
The University mall, also known as ‘The Million Mall’, lines between the University Library and the Science Centre. It is undoubtedly the most representative walkway on CUHK campus. It is also the place for the University’s annual congregation.
3. The Gate of Wisdom and The Beacon
This iconic landmark is situated in front of the main entrance of the University Library. The broad rectangular base of the sculpture The Gate of Wisdom, also known as the Beacon, is a popular pace for student activities, especially public forums and ceremonies.
4. University Gallery
University Gallery is located at the main entrance of the University Library. Through the display of hundreds of precious photographs, artefacts, and multimedia resources, the University Gallery exhibits the history, memorable moments and achievements of CUHK in the past 50 years, mirroring the rapid changes of our home city.
5. Art Museum
Founded in 1971, the Art Museum serves the university community and the Hong Kong SAR by collecting, preserving, researching and exhibiting a wide range of artifacts illuminating the rich arts, humanities, and cultural heritage of ancient and pre-modern China. The Art Museum promotes the excellence of both its permanent collections and loan collections of Chinese art and their use for scholarly endeavours and outreach efforts.
6. Run Run Shaw Science Building
Situated on a hillside on the central campus, the colorful pattern of its glass façade attracts the attention of every visitor from the University MTR Station. Inspired by the periodic table of elements, the abstract colour pattern symbolises the importance of science to mankind.
7. Weiyuan Lake (Lake Ad Excellentiam)
Taking the Philosophy Path, which is opposite the MTR University Station, the signature landmark of Chung Chi College, Weiyuan Lake (Lake Ad Excellentiam), can be reached. Weiyuan, literally meaning ‘not complete’, not only describes the shape of the lake, it is also complementary to Chung Chi College’s motto, ‘In Search of Excellence’.
8. Pavillion of Harmony
Located at the New Asia College, the Pavillion of Harmony commands an excellent view of Tolo Harbour and the Pat Sin Range beyond. It also comprises a pond in its overall architecture. Viewed from a certain angle, the reflection of the sky on the pond’s surface and the real scenery of the Tolo Harbour joins as one, illustrating the concept of ‘Union of Man and Nature’.
