Ｔｈｅ Ｉｍｐｅｒｉａｌ Ｃｏｌｌｅｇｅ

ＴＡＮＧＹＵＡＮＫＡＩ

Unlike the Lama Temple of Beijing, which is overwhelmed with the clamor of visiting crowds and commuters in and out of the nearby subway station, the Imperial College, or the Guozijian, though in the same neighborhood nestles in tranqu ty and relative "obscurity." Outside of the Imperial College are alleys permeated by traditional Chinese culture, crisscrossed by a few surviving ancient archways. The entrance of one alley is guarded by a stone stele, scripted with a royal command ordering all passersby on their feet. Even high-ranking officials had to dismount from their horses to pass by the front gate of the Imperial College.