On second-hand trading platforms, several sellers are offering bottled water from Peking University’s Weiming Lake, priced between 20 yuan ($2.80) and nearly 100 yuan per 500ml, the Chinanews ...

It ranked 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, the highest among all mainland and Hong Kong universities. Weiming Lake is one of the most recognisable landmarks on its campus. Advertisement ...

"Lake water from Weiming Lake at Peking University sells for 99 RMB ($13.80) per 500ml," read one listing, while another offered "soil from the university campus" for 129 yuan for 900 grams.

Tsinghua University and Peking University, two of China's most prestigious academic institutions, have condemned the sale of water from their campus lakes and rivers as an illegal profit-making ...