King's College, University of Cambridge is a must-visit spot
🌟King's College, Cambridge: A poetic sanctuary that captivated Xu Zhimo
This Gothic building, located by the River Cam, was founded in 1441 by King Henry VI of England himself. Over nearly 600 years, it has witnessed countless historical events and nurtured numerous scholars and literati. Most famously known to Chinese people is the poet Xu Zhimo, who wrote the touching poem "Farewell to Cambridge Again" here.
🏛️Stepping into this pinnacle of English Gothic architecture, the most stunning feature is the 29-meter-high fan vault ceiling. Sunlight pours through 26 stained glass windows, illuminating the entire chapel in a dreamlike glow. Each pane depicts biblical stories, narrating tales of faith and art through shifting light and shadow.
Did you know? During World War II in 1940, students of King's College spontaneously organized to protect the chapel's precious stained glass windows with sandbags to prevent damage from air raids. This reverence for cultural heritage has preserved these exquisite windows intact to this day.
🎼As one of Cambridge University's three major choirs, the heavenly voices here are world-renowned. Every Christmas, the BBC broadcasts the King's College Choir's Christmas carol concert. Standing in the nave listening to the organ's roar, you can almost feel King Henry VI's original intention in founding this college.
📜Speaking of King's College, one cannot ignore the "Cambridge complex" among Chinese people. In 1921, Xu Zhimo wrote "Farewell to Cambridge Again" while studying here, making this building a sacred place in the hearts of Chinese literary youth. The imagery of "gently I am leaving, just as gently as I came" is most vividly depicted by the lush green lawn in front of the chapel. Many Chinese tourists come specifically to retrace the poet's footsteps along that tree-lined path.
💡Travel tips:
· Please keep quiet during your visit, as this is an active place of worship
· Last admission times are 3:00 PM Monday to Friday, and 2:45 PM on Saturdays
· The interior lighting is dim; it is recommended to visit on sunny days
· Don’t miss the poet memorial corner located to the right of the altar
Amid the gentle waves of the River Cam and beneath the Gothic spires, experience a dialogue between Chinese and British cultures across time and space. One afternoon here is a rendezvous with poetry and distant dreams.✨
Other visitors' reviews of King's College Chapel
Show More ReviewsThis is where the British king is crowned. Many members of the British royal family and aristocracy are buried here. The architecture is magnificent and worth a visit for those interested in European history and culture.