Visit Shanghai Jiao Tong University Xuhui Campus

Reservation method: It's quite simple. You can make a reservation and visit on the same day. Reservation slots open at 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM. After booking, just show your ID card at the school gate at No. 55 Guangyuan West Road to enter the campus.

The campus is not very large. The main highlights are buildings from the Republic of China era and earlier, such as the Nanyang Public School Central Courtyard, which is the oldest building at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and currently the only teaching building from the 19th century. It is also the historical starting point of the university’s century-old campus.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University originated from Nanyang Public School, founded in the 22nd year of the Guangxu reign (1896). This is why it is also called "SJTU 1896."

When the school was first established, there was no campus yet, so it temporarily used private houses near Xuhui for enrollment and teaching. The school founder Sheng Xuanhuai and the first principal He Sikun, after multiple inspections, decided to buy land at the current location of SJTU to build the campus. The first building decided to be constructed was this "Central Courtyard."

The Central Courtyard was personally designed and supervised by the school supervisor, American Fokai Sen (who also donated artifacts like the Xiaokeding to Nanjing University). Construction started in the 24th year of Guangxu (1898) and took one year to complete. It is a three-story brick and wood Western-style building.

At that time in China, this building was very large and considered a "masterpiece." The purpose of building the Central Courtyard was to serve as the Central Courtyard dormitory, hence the building was named "Nanyang Public School Central Courtyard."

It is still used by teachers and students today, but for very different purposes. Other buildings include a unique gymnasium from the Republic of China era, the main office hall inscribed by Hu Hanmin, and most are still open for use by teachers and students. As a visitor, please do not disturb their normal teaching activities; just take photos at the gate. There is a QR code provided by the school at the entrance with detailed introductions to these buildings.

The Dong Haoyun Maritime Museum on campus is open to the public. It is also a Republic of China era building, so you can enjoy the exhibitions and the atmosphere.

Also, there is the Qian Xuesen Library, which is recommended as the last stop because it is a one-way route—you can only enter the library from the school side and exit from the library. If you haven’t finished touring, you will have to backtrack. For photos of the main gate, it is recommended to go to the Huashan Road side gate.

Post by MidnightEternal_11 | May 23, 2025