Empire State Building turning blue to honor Chinese university

New York's iconic Empire State Building will turn blue later this month to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Zhejiang University.

Blue is the university's traditional color, and according to its official Weibo account, the tribute will take place on May 20 Eastern Time.

It's believed to be the first occasion the building has been lit up to honor a Chinese university.    

The official website of the Empire State Building states that the Zhejiang University tribute will take place from 8 a.m. on May 20, till 2 a.m. the next morning. It's understood the tribute is a gift from the Zhejiang University North American Alumni Association of New York Branch.

The Empire State Building is one of the most photographed buildings in New York City. Many still associate it with the 1933 movie King Kong, in which the giant ape climbed to the top only to fall from the skyscraper after being attacked by airplanes with guns.  A landmark building in New York City for the last 80 years, the Empire State Building has one of the highest viewing platforms in Manhattan, offering superb views of Central Park, Madison Square Garden and most of New York Harbor below. It is often lit up for special occasions, and in the past was illuminated to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.  

There are very strict rules governing such light tributes. Until now, the Empire State Building has only been lit for New York based universities, such as New York University and Columbia University.