Significance of modern campus waterscape planning and design for improving the overall image of university, enriching campus culture and promoting the moral, intellectual and physical development of students was analyzed, landscape features of water and water-loving nature of people were elaborated, moreover, Minhang Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University taken for an example to show the role of waterscape in campus design. It was stressed that water can make environment more active and define spaces; waterscapes are of great plasticity in landscape design and able to adjust microclimate. Living examples were taken to discuss waterscape design on campuses from the perspectives of spatial design, scale design, cultural and ecological properties, and design of waterfront spaces, combination of waterscapes and other campus environment elements. Key points in the maintenance and management of campus waterscapes were expounded in terms of water environment maintenance, water system management, and utilization of waterscape ecological benefits, then planning and design thoughts of ecological campus waterscapes were discussed to promote the waterscape planning level of modern campus.