7 university campuses in Asia with film-worthy grounds

Peking University was initially known as the Imperial University of Peking. This 125-year old institution is home to some of the most beautiful grounds in the world, from its peaceful Weiming Lake area to the majestic Boya Pagoda overlooking the grounds.

The only Chinese university to be included among the top 20 of the QS World University Rankings 2024, Peking University is known for its beautiful sunset vistas, pine trees, and vibrant blooms, from peach blossoms in spring to rows of lilacs lining the front of the Wang Kezhen Building. 

The University of Tokyo's Hongo campus is one of its five campuses in Japan. A hallmark of the campus is the picturesque rows of 120-year old ginko trees that turn bright gold in autumn. It also boasts the peaceful Sanshiro Pond and the famed Akamon Gate at the front of the university, which dates back to the Edo period.

The Yasuda Auditorium, known for its brownish-red brick facade, has become a symbol of the university, completed in 1925 by architect Yoshikazu Uchida who took inspiration from structures from the Taisho period around the time of the Great Kanto Earthquake.     

What began as the University of Ceylon in 1942 in Colombo eventually shifted to its current location at Peradeniya, a scenic tea plantation on the banks of the Mahaweli River, which offered easier road and rail access to the capital in Colombo and the nearby city of Kandy.

Despite the seemingly endless hurdles that stood in the way of its move to the new site, the university finally shifted its students and faculties from Colombo to Peradeniya. At its opening, the Vice-Chancellor planted a humble tree opposite the entrance to the Lodge–a subdued celebration due to the death of King George VI that year. Approximately 150 acres in length, the university complex is surrounded by acres of untouched forest land.

Established in 1909, The Indian Institute of Science is the nation's premier institute for research and education in science and engineering, and one of the top public universities in Bangalore. The university's European-inspired architecture is the work of German architect Otto Koenigsberger, the chief architect and town planner of the princely state Mysore. Koenigsberger also designed the old Aerospace Engineering building here in 1946, which reportedly boasted India's first closed circuit wind tunnel.   

Spanning 27 acres of tropical greenery, the Taylor's University Lakeside campus is surrounded by a revived 5.5 acre man-made lake. In 2011, Taylor's University received a Gold award at the Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) Awards for its masterful integration of a lake amidst its campus building.

Overlooking the lake are rows of cafes and eateries, a four-storey library, and even a chic co-working space by Common Ground. From the beautiful and spacious green lawn that borders the lake to a grassy amphitheatre shaded by rows of trees and shrubs, open-air spots like these on campus are popular with students and visitors alike.

Related: 3 Taylor's University Alumni on Creating a Legacy That Matters

Kyung Hee University's cathedral-inspired architecture is most apparent in its towering Peace Hall, said to be styled after the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula in Brussels. This gorgeous campus is home to thousands of cherry blossom trees, making it a popular tourist attraction in spring between late March and mid April.  

NOW READ

Taylor's University's Professor Michael Driscoll on Making a Difference

Meet The Malaysian Architects Rebooting Heritage Buildings

10 locations in Malaysia to get on the Wes Anderson trend