Chinese mourn Ji Xianlin

After the death of one of the country's greatest minds, Chinese people paid their last respects to Ji Xianlin in different ways.

Peking University, where Ji had worked for 63 years, announced on July 12 his passing in a statement calling him a "senior professor" instead of "master", a title Ji urged the public and media to remove many times. His colleagues remained true to his wishes.

The line of mourners was seemingly endless on July 12 for the midday memorial service in the auditorium at Peking University. State leaders’ condolences, including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao's, were also among messages of sympathy from the public. Flowers were laid at the gate of Ji's former compound in the north corner of the 111-year-old university. Bookstores in Beijing and other cities put Ji's works on their front shelves.

Ji Xianlin, dubbed by many as the "master of Chinese culture" died on July 11 of a heart attack at the age of 97. Ji's wise counsel was always in big demand over his 70-year academic career. He was one of China's greatest scholars of history, ancient languages and culture.

Story: Zhou Shanshan | Video source: CCTV.com