A woman playing Taiji [File photo: baidu.com]

Taiji is often practiced in parks by the elderly, but it now becomes a must on campus too.

Xi'an Jiaotong University has offered it as a compulsory course for nearly twenty years since 1998; students cannot graduate unless they are unable to practice Taiji.

A teacher from the sports department of Xi'an Jiaotong University explained that Taiji was originally set as a compulsory course mainly because it can be done anywhere, with little equipment required.

The teacher said Taiji is not only an exercise that promotes better health among students but a practice embodying long Chinese tradition that students can learn and feel through practice.

A Xi'an Jiaotong University student said the content of the course mainly consists of basic Taiji movements and takes place just once a week.

Sometimes students can be seen practicing Taiji on every corner of the campus as they prepare for final exams, which can be quite a sight, added the student.

Universities in China have the right to voluntarily plan their PE courses according to the school's tradition, resources and students' needs.

Tsinghua University recently declared that it was including swimming as a compulsory course for bachelor students from 2017. Students who are still unable to swim before graduation would not be able to obtain a degree, unless they have hydrophobia, skin diseases or other special conditions.

Swimming is or was compulsory at many universities across China including Peking University, Xiamen University and Sichuan University.

Tree climbing courses had been set in China's Northwest University and Xiamen University. [File photo: baidu.com]

Some universities have designed interesting optional PE courses as well, including a tree climbing course in Northwest University in Xi'an and golf lessons in Shanghai's East China University of Science and Technology.

Taiji an ancient Chinese tradition regarded as a graceful form of exercise. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, highly focused manner, along with deep breathing. It is sometimes called Tai chi or tai chi chuan in the West.