【Crabapple Blossom】The 2026 Tianjin University Crabapple Blossom Season Campus Open Day Concludes Successfully

The 2026 Tianjin University Crabapple Blossom Season Campus Open Day kicked off on April 4, opening to the public for eight consecutive days at both campuses. Faculty, students, alumni, primary and secondary school students, and citizens were welcomed to visit the university. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Tianjin University's Crabapple Blossom Season, with over 100 distinctive events covering science and technology, humanities, art, sports, and other fields carefully organized at both campuses. On April 11, a special event was held at the Peiyangyuan Campus, where more than 3,000 crabapple trees were in full bloom, welcoming visitors in full bloom. The Crabapple Blossom Season Open Day came to a successful conclusion in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Under the theme “Spring Arrives as Flowers Fill the Garden”, this year's Crabapple Blossom Season centered on the core themes of “China's First Modern University”, independent talent cultivation, self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and cultural inheritance and innovation. Four themed tour routes were designed, allowing visitors to appreciate the flowers while experiencing the profound heritage and innovative vitality of this top institution of higher education.

The university specially launched a reservation-free entry channel for middle school students, inviting teachers and students from nearly 20 key middle schools to step onto the campus for an immersive exploration journey that is both informative and fun. They strolled along crabapple-lined paths, stopped at scientific research booths, and participated in interactive experiences.

During the Open Day, the Tianjin University History Museum offered more than 30 professional guided tours, where visitors looked back on the extraordinary years of China's first modern university. An exhibition of archives showcasing the achievements of Tianjin University alumni who participated in major national projects in the early days of the People's Republic of China was held at both campuses. Precious archives and historical images vividly narrated the stories of alumni including Wu Ziliang, Shi Changxu, and Yu Guocong, who rooted themselves at the frontline of national construction and overcame technical barriers through hard work. The Feng Jicai Museum, which is in trial operation, opened to the public for the first time by appointment, drawing visitors to engage with cultural relics up close. The history museums of 18 schools, including the School of Science, the School of Foreign Languages, and the School of Civil Engineering, were also opened to the public. The three libraries at both campuses opened as scheduled, and the Tianjin University Scientific and Technological Achievements Exhibition displayed more than 40 cutting-edge research achievements in fields such as synthetic biology, smart grid, quantum computing, and brain-computer interface, where cultural heritage and scientific and technological strength complemented each other.

During the Open Day, exhibitions on emerging engineering education and project-based learning demonstrations were held at both campuses, opening a window for young people to learn about frontier engineering. Under the crabapple blossoms, robot dance shows, mind-controlled floating balls and other cutting-edge tech demonstrations drew cheers from the crowd, making scientific knowledge tangible and accessible. Meanwhile, 16 scientific research and popular science bases at both campuses were fully opened, presenting the university's research strength through popular science lectures, experimental demonstrations, interactive experiences, and achievement exhibitions, further fulfilling the important role of popular science venues in serving society and spreading science. Numerous citizens and visitors entered national key laboratories to observe high-end scientific research facilities up close and experience cutting-edge scientific and technological achievements firsthand. The National Facility for Earthquake Engineering Simulation was opened to visitors with popular science activities.

April 11 marked the special event day at Peiyangyuan Campus. Inside Zhengdong Library, the Exhibition on the Spirit of Scientists and Scholars of Tianjin University unfolded a picture of progress and endeavor. The popular online activity Quick Answers to Life's Puzzles attracted large crowds, where university students and primary school students exchanged ideas and solved problems for each other. In the courtyard, a warm crabapple-themed art performance was staged, weaving together melodies of musical instruments, brushstrokes of calligraphy and painting, and colorful kites. The outdoor technology experience zone in the new technology area featured drone football competitions, 3D printing, smart piano experiences, and robot dance shows, fully demonstrating the charm of technology.

At Peiyang Square, the admission consultation booths were bustling with activity. Staff from the Admissions Office and student volunteers patiently answered questions from parents and candidates one-on-one, focusing on disciplinary strengths, major characteristics, career prospects and other hot topics in light of the 2026 updated admission policies.

At the square of Datong Student Activity Center, He Ranran, a young teacher and champion of the Aerobics Championship, led the Cheerleading Club to light up the venue with a wonderful performance. By the Youth Lake, the Tianjin University Dragon Boat Team paddled vigorously and forged ahead through the waves. Many teachers, students and visitors gathered in the squash hall to experience the unique charm of squash, filled with laughter and joy. At Tianlin Square, a splendid exhibition of traditional Chinese national culture was presented, with ethnic costume shows highlighting the allure of traditional culture. The polo hitting experience area was highly popular, equipped with professional mallets and polo balls for visitors to enjoy the fun of hitting in person.

At Tailei Square, guitar performances added a youthful vibe to the spring day, with the melodious sound of a piano lingering in the air. The 2026 Tianjin University Crabapple Blossom Season Student Club Culture Festival was held, where more than 70 student clubs presented a variety of activities including art interactions, cultural and creative experiences, scientific and technological innovation displays, fun garden parties, sports competitions, and public welfare volunteering, attracting numerous teachers, students, alumni and citizens to stop and participate. On the stage, street dance, instrumental performances, singing, magic shows and other programs were staged one after another. Retired teachers also presented costume shows, and children from Tianjin University Kindergarten performed dances, winning rounds of applause and creating a lively atmosphere.

The schools also organized splendid events. The School of Marxism held a series of themed activities Remembering the Long March When Crabapples Bloom, offering an immersive Long March experience through VR equipment. The booth of the National Science Popularization Education Base of the School of Chemical Engineering was extremely popular, with fun interactive experiments attracting many visitors. The School of Computer Science and Technology generated photos of Peiyang scenes using AI algorithms, and the School of Artificial Intelligence held an AI Cultural Creation Garden Party, empowering culture with technology and lighting up spring with creativity. The School of Science launched a series of fun physics popular science themed activities. The School of Mathematics offered twelve-sided calendar origami experiences integrating the beauty of mathematics and science, and handmade commemorative cards featuring the 10th anniversary school logo to keep exclusive memories. The iGEM-Tianjin team held an interactive game Base Codes Speak, converting text into ATCG base sequences. The School of Foreign Languages set up a French culture themed exhibition area, showing the charm of languages and exotic customs. The School of Humanities and Arts held an exhibition The Gaze of Self and Aesthetics – Aesthetics Course Works Exhibition, sparking an in-depth dialogue on self and aesthetics. At Xuanhuai College, visitors tasted coffee independently operated by students and witnessed how classroom knowledge is transformed into real business practice.

During the Open Day, more than 200 faculty volunteers and over 700 student volunteers took positions across the campus in their spare time between work and studies, providing guidance, consultation and attentive services to every visitor with enthusiasm and professionalism. They became the most touching scenery under the crabapple blossoms, guarding this spring grand event with youthful energy.

Spring returns as scheduled, and blossoms bring reunions. With the successful conclusion of the special opening day event at Peiyangyuan Campus on April 11, the eight-day 2026 Tianjin University Crabapple Blossom Season Campus Open Day came to an end. This grand event connects history and the present, culture and technology, youth and perseverance. It not only showcases the unique charm of the 130-year-old Tianjin University to the public, but also conveys the university spirit of openness, inclusivity, and striving for excellence.

By: Yuboyang