Base in Beijing

The Center's Nobel Hall.

The dinosaur skeleton that guards the café is a replica of one smuggled out of China years ago. The fossil changed hands several times before coming to the attention of Paul Sereno, who persuaded the owner to donate it to science. Sereno returned the original to a museum in the Chinese province where it was discovered and lent a copy to the center.

The tucked-away library houses no books so far but boasts a carpet bearing the University seal, commissioned from the Tai Ping carpet company. Modeled after a Chinese-style conference room (cushy chairs, no table), the room serves as a quiet, elegant retreat. President Zimmer received Lien Chen here before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The floor-to-ceiling relief of Hyde Park is a popular draw.

Becker, Cronin, Heckman, and Myerson sit on the Nobel panel.