The Tianjin Binhai Library (天津滨海图书馆) is a breathtaking architectural marvel located in the Binhai district of Tianjin, China. Designed by the Dutch firm MVRDV, this iconic library has captured the world’s attention with its unique and innovative design. Standing at over 33,700 square meters, the library is a towering five-story structure that resembles a gigantic eye, with a luminous spherical auditorium as its “pupil.”
The library’s interior is equally impressive, featuring a vast collection of books on its shelves that seem to stretch endlessly into the distance. The central atrium is designed as a grand reading area, where visitors can immerse themselves in a sea of knowledge. The building also houses various cultural facilities, including exhibition spaces, offices, and meeting rooms.
The library’s remarkable design has transformed it into a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the globe. It serves as a testament to the power of architecture to inspire and ignite the imagination. The Tianjin Binhai Library is not just a place for reading and learning; it is a symbol of the limitless possibilities that lie at the intersection of art, culture, and technology.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Tianjin Binhai Library
- Vlog about Tianjin Binhai Library
- Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
- Attractions near Tianjin Binhai Library
Basic Information
| Website | http://tjbhlib.org.cn/ |
| Eestimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 14.00 – 20.00 on Mondays 9.30 – 20.00 from Tuesday to Sunday |
| Telephone Number | 0086-022-65545678 |
Location and Transportation
The Tianjin Binhai Library is located in the Binhai district of Tianjin, a vibrant coastal area known for its modern architecture and booming economy. Its exact address is No. 347, Xusheng Road, Binhai New Area, Tianjin, China. To get there, you can choose the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 106, 112, 132, 816, 940, or 974, get off at the West Gate Binhai Cultural Center Stop (滨海文化中心西门站), and walk about 300 meters to the southeast to reach the library.
Metro: The nearest metro station to the Tianjin Binhai Library is Taida (泰达) on Jinbin line 9 (津滨9号线). After getting out of the station from Exit A, walk about 1.5 kilometers to the southeast to reach the library. Or you can also take a shared bike to cover the distance.
Highlights of Tianjin Binhai Library
Striking Architecture
The Tianjin Binhai Library is a striking architectural masterpiece that captivates with its unique design. The library features a vast, curvaceous central atrium, resembling a giant eye, which serves as the focal point. The undulating bookshelves, arranged in cascading terraces, create a visually stunning effect that spans five levels. The seamless integration of shelves with the curved walls and ceilings gives the impression of a space entirely enveloped in books. This architectural marvel, coupled with its impressive size and technological innovations, has established the Tianjin Binhai Library as an iconic symbol of contemporary design and intellectual exploration.
Vast Collection Capacity
The Tianjin Binhai Library boasts a vast collection capacity that sets it apart as one of the largest public libraries in China. With an expansive area of over 33,700 square meters (363,000 square feet), it has the capability to house up to 1.2 million volumes. The shelves, designed in a cascading manner, create a visually striking environment while providing ample space for an extensive range of books. This immense collection capacity ensures that the library can cater to the diverse interests and needs of its visitors, making it a treasure trove of knowledge and a haven for book enthusiasts.
The Eye
The “Eye of Tianjin Binhai Library” is an awe-inspiring architectural feature that defines the library’s identity. This remarkable design element is embodied in the library’s central atrium, resembling a colossal eye gazing out into the space. The eye-catching curvature and scale of this structure immediately captivate visitors, evoking a sense of wonder and curiosity. The interior of the “Eye” is adorned with rows upon rows of cascading bookshelves, further enhancing its visual impact. This iconic feature not only symbolizes the library’s mission to enlighten and inspire but also serves as a beacon of contemporary design, making it an unforgettable landmark in Tianjin’s skyline.
“Terraced” Bookshelves
The terraced bookshelves of the Tianjin Binhai Library are a striking and innovative design feature that sets it apart. These cascading shelves create a visually stunning landscape, resembling terraced fields of knowledge. Spanning multiple levels, the undulating bookshelves seamlessly blend with the curved walls and ceilings, enveloping the entire space in a captivating display of books. This design not only adds a unique aesthetic appeal but also enhances accessibility and functionality, providing visitors with a dynamic reading environment. The terraced bookshelves invite exploration, creating an immersive experience that encourages discovery and engagement with the vast collection of books housed within the library.
Vlog about Tianjin Binhai Library
Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
Avoid Weekends: It’s not recommended to visit the Binhai Library on weekends as it tends to be crowded, with long queues and many people taking photos. The popularity might make it difficult to access stairs and other areas.
Transportation Advice: The library is located in the Binhai district of Tianjin, and coming from Tianjin city center can be quite a distance. It’s suggested to take a high-speed train to Tanggu Station or Binhai Station from the city center, which takes just over ten minutes. From the station, a taxi ride of about 10 minutes will get you to the library.
Storage for Items: Cameras, water, and food are not allowed inside, so be prepared to use the nearby storage lockers to store these items.
Optimal Photography Times: For those who are mainly interested in taking photos, it’s recommended to visit in the evening when there are fewer people, allowing you to avoid crowds, enjoy the lighting, and capture a more atmospheric experience. However, if you prefer better lighting conditions, the morning sunlight is also suggested.
Dress Appropriately: The interior scenes predominantly feature white colors. Consider wearing an outfit with bright or colorful accessories, such as a hat or scarf, to add a touch of vibrancy to your photos.
The Binhai Library no longer requires a reservation! You can come anytime you like. The “Book Mountain” on the first floor mainly serves as decoration, while the 2nd to 4th floors are great for reading, studying, and working. The environment is very pleasant, and it isn’t crowded. The cultural center also has many restaurants.
The library is located in a commercial complex, spanning from the second to the fifth floor. The second floor serves as a hotspot for social media photos, with various creatively designed walls for visitors to take pictures. There is also a small study room available. The library itself occupies the third and fourth floors, while the fifth floor is designated as a music library, which is currently closed to the public. To be honest, it’s not worth a special trip… Read more »
This place is not easy for outsiders to find; we circled around the Civic Center for an entire round before we finally located the entrance inside.
The first floor is a great place for taking photos; it’s very beautiful and perfect for pictures. There aren’t many books on this floor, just stickers. There is a study room inside, so please keep quiet while taking photos to avoid disturbing those who are studying. If you want to read books, you can go to the second, third, or fourth floors, where there are tables and chairs available for reading. You can also get a library card to borrow… Read more »
The Binhai Library is located in a large shopping mall in the Binhai New Area. You need to make a reservation to enter, but there aren’t many people around right now and the staff didn’t check. Be aware that you can’t bring beverages past the security check! The library is very clean, and there are always cleaning staff around to maintain the cleanliness!
A very small library. I was out in less than five minutes. It’s hard to imagine a library located in a shopping mall. It feels like it’s just there for people to take pictures.
This free library has a very high-tech feel to its architecture, but the books in the pictures are all fake; they seem to be just wallpaper. Taking a couple of photos is about all you need to do here, as you won’t want to stay long.
During holidays, there are many people inside, it’s very noisy, and the atmosphere is not quite in harmony with what a library should be like.
Items prohibited to bring into the Binhai Library:
1. Cameras, camcorders, Polaroid cameras.
2. Controlled knives, miniature knives, lighters, cigarettes (including e-cigarettes), and flammable and explosive dangerous goods.
3. Scooters, balloons, playing cards, dice, and other entertainment items.
4. Food (including unopened), fruits, meals, sugar cubes, chewing gum, (sugar/salt-containing) beverages, coffee, tea, tea leaves, powdered items, colored liquids.
– The futuristic 3D bookshelves can only be found on the first floor, the library is not big, one hour is enough for sightseeing and taking photos. – The study rooms and children’s book area are located on both sides of the first floor (but it can be noisy outside due to crowds). – For a quieter place with fewer people, you should definitely visit the study rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor (taking a rest on the chairs… Read more »