Located in Zhongguancun, the heart of the nation's R&D centre for science and technology, the Affiliated High School of Peking University inherits from Peking University the pursuit for democracy and science since its foundation in 1960. The school's administration and faculty highly encourage students to pursue their intellectual interests in various realms. An environment in favour of student autonomy makes it possible for students at the Affiliated High School of Peking University to engage in various activities ranging from scientific research to environmental advocacy instead of the traditional way of pure textbook-studying.