Long lines to stroll China's top school

Visits to China's top post-secondary institution, Tsinghua University in northwest Beijing, are reportedly becoming more difficult this August, reports youth.cn.

Crowds of people waiting at the west gate of Tsinghua University. [Photo: Youth.cn]

Parents hoping to see their children eventually enrolled into China's top university have been making use of the final days of their children's summer holidays by lining up with their kids to get a peek at the hallowed University’s grounds.

Reports suggest parents and their children have started lining up as early as 4am for a chance to tour Tsinghua.

"The visiting limit is 3,000 for Tsinghua University for half a day. If visitors come after 6am, they're going to have to wait until the afternoon to visit the school," says a Tsinghua security guard.

Visitors wait for three hours or more to visit Tsinghua University. [Photo: Youth.cn]

The report by youth.cn suggests that as of 9am, waiting lines to get into Tsinghua can stretch 50 meters, with many carrying backpacks and umbrellas to help beat the heat and avoid possible sunstroke during the hot summer days.

"It's a hot day. But I would feel terrible if I couldn't get my child in to see this 'ivory tower' of Chinese education," said one parent, who had travelled from Hunan to visit.

Would-be students being taken to Tsinghua by their parents, though perhaps not pleased with the early-morning lines, seem to be taking it in stride, reports youth.cn.

Crowds of people waiting to visit of Tsinghua University [Photo: Youth.cn]

"It's understandable that parents want to see their children at Tsinghua University. They want to encourage us to work harder for a better future," said prospective Tsinghua student named Li who was interviewed by youth.cn.

Tsinghua University is considered China's top university for academics, and is considered one of the leading universities in Asia.