Cherry blossoms bloom at Xi'an Jiaotong University, creating a colorful scene on campus.

Every year in March and April, Xi'an Jiaotong University hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival, an event that combines fl oral grace with campus activities, attracting a large number of faculty members, students and local residents.

The 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival, under the theme "Blooming Thirteen Decades", features a special "Welcome Home" decoration to celebrate the university's 130th anniversary.

Integrating the university's history, medical humanities and technological display innovation, this year's festival is designed to offer unique cultural experiences across its three campuses in Xingqing, Yanta and iHarbor.

The Xingqing Campus is adjacent to Xingqing Palace Park. The university sets up photo spots themed on Tang Dynasty (618-907) culture, and holds activities such as stele rubbings and classical poetry challenges, carrying forward cultural legacy.

Near the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a historical landmark in Xi'an, the Yanta Campus blends medical humanities education with intangible cultural heritage and aesthetic education. At iHarbor, sci-tech interactive exhibitions showcase the university's pursuit of innovation.

The festival also brings together student clubs' performances, charity markets, and AI hands-on activities, creating a cultural ecosystem that is engaging, enjoyable and shareable, reflecting the ethos of the university.

The 2025 Cherry Blossom Festival was equally impressive, featuring six snapshot spots, 11 landscapes and 21 themed activities.

The event combined the allure of nature, the charm of humanities and the energy of youth, providing an immersive spring cultural experience.

Beyond the festival, XJTU has developed several cultural brands, such as the Great Masters drama series and the Golden Wutong Festival.

It is also home to a national college students' cultural, ethical and patriotism education base and 149 student clubs, offering a wide range of activities in science and technology, literature and art, sports and other fields.

Its four classic platforms — Lectures by Renowned Scholars, World Affairs Forum, iHarbor Lectures and Insights Forum — have significantly broadened the horizons of teachers and students.

With its profound cultural legacy and robust cultural initiatives, the university has received numerous accolades, including the National Cultural and Ethical Advanced Campus, National Excellent Demonstration for Universities in Tribute to Fine Traditional Chinese Culture, and designation as one of the first Scientist Spirit Education Bases.

Adhering to the core socialist values, XJTU will continue to carry forward the Westward Relocation Spirit, implement a strategy of strengthening the university through culture, emphasize the balanced development of humanities and sciences, and thus strive to build a holistic cultural education system.

To invigorate the "cultural cells" of grassroots departments, XJTU initiated the Culture Plus program, aiming to foster a campus culture featuring integrity, truth-seeking, innovation and inclusiveness.

XJTU also develops its culture of sports, aesthetics and labor education, with the goal of providing well-rounded education for students.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn