Hebei Academy of Fine Arts first earned its reputation in 2014 as China's answer to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the fictional school that became popular with the "Harry Potter" series. This year, Hebei is keen to introduce its own identity to the world by holding its first graduation ceremony inspired by Confucian tradition. 

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The batch that enrolled in the institution four years ago marched for their bachelor's degree outside a temple dedicated to the great thinker. More than 1,000 graduates were wearing traditional white "Hanfu" gowns with green trimmings on each gaping sleeve. Every student was patted with a white brush before bowing in front of the headmaster, Zhen Zhongyi. 

The school's most popular building is called the "Cinderella Castle" and used by the animation department. This is where students can finish post-production projects and conduct different art exhibitions, Telegraph reported. According to management committee head Zhen Mo, the structure drew inspiration from the medieval castles of Europe. It features clock towers, turrets, stone walls, and spires that are reportedly reminiscent of Hogwarts.

Hebei is one of the increasing private educational institutions in China. In an article by China Post, Zhen shared that he spent 1.7 billion yuan on the academy, including the castle, so that students may appreciate Western architecture without having to leave the country. Graduates like Wang Xiaotian could not help but express pride for the buildings, which she saw to completion during her stay as a student. Most, while excited for the ceremony, still feel anxious about leaving college.

To date, the school has more than 8,000 students taking design courses. Zhen shared with the Business Insider about his plans to build a Baroque cathedral and a Middle Eastern-style mosque as part of campus expansion. A wheat field surrounding the academy completes the countryside feel that any Harry Potter fan will surely appreciate.  

Zhen shared that he learned of the Harry Potter reference only last year and actually agreed to the two structures' similarities. Hebei's very own Albus Dumbledore started his career as a painter and earned the money used for his initial investment through trading art in the 1990s. 

TagsChina Hogwarts, Hebei Academu of Fine Arts, Harry Potter China, Cinderella Castle