Jiaye Hall Library (嘉业堂藏书楼), located in Nanxun Ancient Town, Zhejiang Province, is a typical Chinese-style building facing south. Hanging above the lintel are six large characters written by Liu Tingchen: “嘉业堂藏书楼” (Jiaye Hall Library). Built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong, it derived its name from the nine-dragon gold plaque bestowed by Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty, inscribed with the phrase “钦若嘉业” (Honorable Appreciation of Good Deeds).
The library boasts an extensive collection and grand scale, blending seamlessly with the surrounding garden, and is renowned for its collection of ancient books. It is one of China’s well-known private libraries of modern times and is classified as a national-level key cultural relic. The entire library consists of 52 rooms, designed in a “口” shaped layout with corridors, arranged in two levels. The upper floor, named “希古楼” (Xigu Building), houses ancient classics, while the outermost room, named “黎光阁” (Liguang Pavilion), stores 1954 editions of the “四库全书” (Complete Library in Four Branches). The main hall, named “求恕斋” (Qiushu Chamber), stores historical classics. To preserve the books, each room’s floor is exceptionally sturdy, and the windows are constructed with double layers of iron and glass. In the middle of the two sections, there is a courtyard spanning over 300 square meters, paved with square bricks to prevent weed growth, facilitating book airing. Each room facing the courtyard is equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows for ventilation and lighting.
By 1925, Jiaye Hall Library reached its peak, housing a rich collection of rare and valuable books. It contained around 200 Song and Yuan editions, over 2000 Ming editions, more than 5000 Qing editions, over 1200 local chronicles, over 220 series of books, around 2000 copies, and over 1200 other varieties. The most precious treasures include the Song editions of “史记” (Records of the Grand Historian), “汉书” (Book of Han), “后汉书” (Book of Later Han), and “三国志” (Records of the Three Kingdoms).
After liberation, the original owner of the library, Liu Chenggan, donated it to the Zhejiang Library. Jiaye Hall Library has since become a public library and tourist attraction, providing opportunities for learning and appreciation. Moreover, on September 2, 2022, the “Zhejiang Historical Document Digital Resource Repository” was officially launched at Jiaye Hall Library, offering the public a more convenient way to access ancient texts.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 25 RMB for Xiaolian Villa and the Library |
| Opening Hours | 7.30 – 17.30 (1st May – 31st October) 8.00 – 17.00 (1st November – 30th April) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0572-3016999 |
Location and Transportation
Jiaye Hall Library is located at Wangu Bridge on Nanxi Street, Nanxun District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province. To get there, you can take bus 139, 165, 168, or Huzhou 162 and get off at Xiaolian Villa Stop (小莲庄站).
