Route of May 4th Movement in Beijing

On May 4th, 1919, student representatives from 13 universities met in Beijing to protest the then Chinese government's weak response to the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed unfair treaties on China and undermined the country's sovereignty.

On that day, the patriotic students held a large-scale demonstration. Students from Peking University first gathered in front of the Red Building of the school.

Visitors wearing the then student uniforms take pictures in front of Red Building, or Honglou. [Photo: VCG]

They started to march on what later became know as the Wusi Ave.

Sculpture on Wusi Ave [Photo: IC]

They walked all the way through Bei Chizi Ave, which was on the east side of the Palace Museum. 

Bei Chizi Ave now [Photo: VCG]

Finally they gathered with other students, peasants and workers at Tian'anmen Square.

Tian'anmen Square [Photo:IC].

The event promoted the spread of Marxism in China. Many political and social leaders of the next decades emerged at this time. To commemorate this event, May 4th is observed annually as the Youth Day in China.