Peking University's 'wisdom water' sparks online frenzy and official backlash
Man holding bottle water (for illustration purposes only)
BEIJING, CHINA: Bottled water allegedly taken from the famous Weiming Lake at Peking University is stirring the pot online, advertised as a magical tonic able to enhance wisdom and boost emotional intelligence. With a price of up to 99 yuan (US$14 or S$18.90) for just 500 ml, the purported 'wisdom-inspiring' liquid is far more costly than the usual bottled water, and it's not even meant for drinking.
According to a recent South China Morning Post report, online retailers on second-hand platforms have fascinated China's social media scene by touting the lake water as a form of academic amulet. Many people even go to the extent of filming themselves collecting the water inside school grounds to demonstrate that it is genuine.
'Staring at the water every day can boost your spirits, inspire wisdom, and dramatically improve your EQ,' says one advertisement, which also asserts that the water can 'help plants grow' and 'adjust humidity.' However, one seller cautions that the product is just ornamental and not for drinking.
In addition to the unusual academic souvenirs trend, vendors are also quick to offer soil near the lake for 99 yuan per 600 grams, as well as campus soil for 129 yuan per 900 grams. In some listings, signatures from university professors are featured, apparently to infuse reliability and trustworthiness, or perhaps a touch of sarcasm.
Authorities have noticed the 'water's' surging popularity. The security department of Peking University has denounced the marketing and selling of the said water, stating that taking water from Weiming Lake for commercial purposes is forbidden. The university issued a statement saying that it will reach out to sellers and advise the public to report those who sell this water or any form of advertisement regarding the lake water.
This development has sparked a fierce debate online. One netizen joked, 'This water is magical! Buying it shows your IQ level, ha!' Another commenter mockingly recommended, 'Why not sell the air from the university? I bet many parents would buy it.'
The frenzy comes soon after China's exhausting national college entrance examination, the gaokao , of which more than 13 million students took this month. With campus admission becoming increasingly competitive, the appeal of emblematic objects from prestigious institutions like Peking University, ranked 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, has evolved into a fascinating cultural phenomenon.
Whether it's an innocuous knick-knack or a disturbing trend, one thing is clear—in the competition for success, some are prepared to 'bottle up' their daydreams—literally.
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