Live Your Best Lives
Heshun Library, located in the center of the village, beside Shuanghong Bridge, was built in 1924. The building is a traditional Chinese building. It sits against the backdrop of a densely populated village nestled against the hillside, and faces the vast and fertile Heshun Basin. Two streams flow through the front door, and to the right of the library is Yiqun Middle School.
The library's first entrance, commanding a majestic presence, bears a large plaque in black with gold inscriptions: "Heshun Library," inscribed by fellow villager Zhang Li. Up the steps leads to the second gate, a three-arched Western-style iron gate modeled after the facade of the former Soochow University in Suzhou. It is ethereal and beautiful. Inscribed on it are plaques such as "Heshun Library" (by Hu Shi) and "Cultural Port" (by Li Shizeng). Entering the courtyard, one finds a small garden, with neatly trimmed yellow osmanthus trees forming a circle in the center. The greenery and red flowers evoke a vibrant spring atmosphere. Beyond the garden lies the main library building. This two-story building is a Chinese-style structure with five bays on each floor. The second and fourth bays extend outwards to form a hexagonal pavilion. The roof is spacious, with few columns and many beams. Glass windows are located above and below, creating a bright and spacious interior. The walls are painted in a simple, elegant style.
Attractions Location: No. 8, Sanshe, Shuidui Village, Tengchong City, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province (near the main entrance of Heshun Scenic Area)
Tickets:
Tickets are included in the Heshun Ancient Town Scenic Area Ticket.
Opening hours:
08:00-19:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Transportation:
You can take bus No. 6 from the county seat to Heshun Ancient Town, and then walk there.
Time reference: 1-3 hours
Brief introduction: Explore the historic and cultural heart of Tengchong with a focus on Heshun Library and nearby attractions.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Heshun Ancient Town guesthouses or Tengchong city hotels. Try local Yunnanese dishes such as Tengchong rice noodles, wild mushroom dishes, and local tea.
Souvenirs: Local handmade paper, traditional Bai embroidery, calligraphy tools, and local teas.
Brief introduction: Combine the cultural experience of Heshun Library with Tengchong’s famous geothermal attractions and historical sites.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Tengchong city or Heshun. Try Tengchong-style barbecue and local fresh vegetables.
Souvenirs: Hot spring minerals, volcanic stone crafts, local herbal products.
Brief introduction: Deeper exploration of Tengchong combining cultural, natural, and historical sites around Heshun Library.
Accommodation/Food: Guesthouses in Heshun Ancient Town or hotels in Tengchong. Local specialties include Yunnan-style grilled fish and mushroom hotpot.
Souvenirs: Bai minority handicrafts, traditional paper umbrellas, and local dried mushrooms.
Brief introduction: Expand your itinerary to include natural parks and scenic countryside near Tengchong with cultural highlights.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Tengchong or Heshun guesthouses. Sample Tengchong wild vegetable dishes and locally brewed rice wine.
Souvenirs: Bamboo crafts, herbal teas, local rice wine bottles.
Brief introduction: Experience the full charm of Tengchong and Heshun combining nature, history, and culture.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Tengchong city or nature lodges near Gaoligongshan. Try mountain herbs and locally foraged food.
Souvenirs: Natural herbal products, traditional woven textiles, nature photography prints.
Brief introduction: Delve into the cultural heritage and explore more remote natural landscapes around Tengchong and Heshun.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Tengchong Old Town or Heshun. Try tea-smoked duck and traditional Yunnanese sweets.
Souvenirs: Tea leaves, handcrafted wooden artifacts, ethnic jewelry.
Brief introduction: A weeklong journey immersing in Tengchong’s unique cultural sites, natural wonders, and tranquil rural charm.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Heshun or Tengchong. Recommended dishes include Yunnan ham, mushroom hotpot, and Tibetan-influenced snacks.
Souvenirs: Traditional Bai embroidery, local teas, natural minerals from hot springs, hand-painted scrolls.
Heshun Library is one of the largest rural libraries in China. Its predecessor was the "Xianxin Society" organized by Cun Fuqing, a member of the Heshun Tongmenghui in the late Qing Dynasty, and the "Yueshu Baoshe" established in 1924. Later, with donations from overseas Chinese and fellow villagers, it was expanded into a library in 1928.
Walking along the west bank of Wild Duck Lake, you can see Heshun Library, one of the largest rural libraries in China.
There are not many places for tourists to visit inside. You cannot enter the lending room. You can only read the newspapers on the table. There are two trees in front of the reading hall, one is plum blossom and the other is also plum blossom, but they are different colors, one white and one pink, like the finishing touch of the whole building.
Heshun Library is one of the largest rural libraries in China. It was founded in 1924 with funds raised by overseas Chinese. It is a traditional Chinese building with a garden in front, which is beautiful and elegant. The library has a collection of more than 10,000 books, among which many ancient books are particularly precious.
Located in Heshun Ancient Town, it is a building that combines Chinese and Western styles.
Heshun is similar to most ancient towns with entrance fees, with only a few old houses or scenic spots charging admission. The entrance fee is 80 yuan per person, but once you enter the ancient town, you can explore it freely.
Several scenic spots are Heshun Alley, Heshun Library, Yuanlong Pavilion, Ai Siqi's former residence, Wenchang Palace, Wanlouzi Folk House Museum, Yunnan-Burma Anti-Japanese War Museum,
Heshun Library is located in the ancient town of Heshun. It is one of the largest rural libraries in China. It was founded in 1924 and has a collection of more than 10,000 books.
As soon as you enter the Heshun Scenic Area, you can see the beautiful exterior architecture.
The first attraction in Heshun Ancient Town is now a civilian library.
It's worth a visit, it has a lot of historical books.
Heshun Library was founded in 1924. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit and a patriotic education base in Yunnan Province. The library has a rich collection of rare documents. The name of the library was written by Hu Shi, the leader of the New Culture Movement. It is known as "China's No. 1 Rural Library."
It is located in the Heshun Ancient Town. It has an antique style and not many tourists. However, it is still "performing its main function" and there are still some books and newspapers.
The most quintessential attraction in the ancient town is the Heshun Library. Books are the source of enlightenment for the people. The building is small and compact, and the library is connected to the Wenchang Palace through a wall.
It is located beside the picturesque Shuanghong Bridge in Heshun, a hometown of overseas Chinese.
I didn't go in. It looked very small and ancient from the outside.
Right at the main entrance to the scenic area. Standing tall and majestic, it resembles an ancient escort agency. And sure enough, if you want to go in, even if you say you're planning to buy a book, the portly gatekeeper will sternly ask, "Buy a ticket." Well, I'm impressed by your swagger, even without even leaning against the wall. I turn away, speechless. This is my first impression of Heshun Ancient Town: money is everything.
Heshun Library, one of China's largest rural libraries, is located beside the picturesque Shuanghong Bridge in Heshun Ancient Town. It covers 1,392 square meters and was founded in 1924 with funds raised by overseas Chinese. The library is a traditional Chinese building with a front garden, beautifully appointed with elegant decor. Ascending the stairs, one passes through the main gate, the middle gate, the garden, and then onto the Library Building, Treasure Building, and Jingshan Garden. The library houses over 70,000 books, including over 10,000 ancient and rare volumes, bearing inscriptions by cultural figures such as Hu Shi, Xiong Qinglai, Liao Chengzhi, and Li Shizeng.
Heshun Library is located at the entrance of Heshun Ancient Town. It is one of the largest rural libraries in China. It was founded in 1924 with funds raised by overseas Chinese. It is a traditional Chinese building with beautiful and elegant style. The library has a collection of more than 10,000 books, among which many ancient books are particularly precious.
Since it was funded by overseas Chinese, the architecture is a combination of Chinese tradition and Western style.
It is said that this is the largest village library in our country.
We arrived at Heshun Ancient Town and not far away we saw the library. There were high steps, but we didn’t go up with our luggage. We took pictures here the next day.
Heshun Library displays a variety of new and old books and newspapers, but when we entered, the staff had already started to tidy up and close the library.
The civilized folk customs are a very valuable national cultural heritage.
It was almost time to get off work when we arrived, and the locals still attach great importance to cultural cultivation.
I wouldn't necessarily go to a place like this even if it was free, let alone one that is bundled with a fee. I can just take a photo to say I've been there.
A small town library in use, the name of which was actually written by Hu Shi, is very quiet.
Heshun Library is one of the largest rural libraries in China. It was founded in 1924 with funds raised by overseas Chinese. It is a traditional Chinese building with a garden in front, which is beautiful and elegant. The library has a collection of more than 10,000 books, among which many ancient books are particularly precious.
In Heshun Ancient Town, you can enter with the ticket of the ancient town. I didn’t bring the ticket at that time, so I took a photo at the door.
A quiet ancient town, a quiet library, with traces of time
It's hard to imagine a library like this in Tengchong, located on the border between Yunnan and Myanmar. Heshun Library, one of China's largest rural libraries, was founded in 1924 with funds raised by overseas Chinese. It houses over 10,000 books, many of which are particularly valuable. The library is a well-preserved example of traditional Chinese architecture, with lush greenery in the courtyard.
There is a good reading atmosphere, and there are many old printing formats, which allow us to appreciate the results and level of previous labor.
The significance of Heshun Library should be understood in conjunction with the historical background of the time.
Heshun Library, founded in 1928 by overseas Chinese in Myanmar, is a rural library funded by donations from locals in Myanmar to revitalize their hometown's cultural education. It currently houses over 80,000 books, divided into three sections: ancient books, books from the Republican era, and modern books. It is the oldest and most extensive rural library in China. The library is located at the village entrance, just across Shuanghong Bridge.
Heshun Library is located in Heshun Ancient Town. It looks like a large house with an antique style. When I arrived, it was closed. I could only admire it from a distance. I guess it has lost its practical significance as a library and is more of a tourist attraction.
The preservation of such a library in the ancient town fully reflects the local people's respect for culture.
The Heshun Library, marked on the map, is a true local hangout for borrowing books. It's not large, but the quaint courtyards are truly charming. Townspeople, young and old, come here to read and chat. The tranquility and harmony are so captivating you won't want to disturb them.
Heshun Library is one of the largest rural libraries in China. There's an entrance fee. The ancient town entrance fee is 80 yuan, which includes the Heshun Library. Since I was staying overnight in Heshun and entered via the inn's car, I didn't buy a ticket. So, I only took photos of the library from the outside and didn't go inside. However, the architecture from outside is quite stylish.
Judging from its collection and scale, the tiny Heshun Library in Tengchong is insignificant compared to libraries worldwide housing tens or even hundreds of millions of books, and even pales in comparison to provincial, prefectural, and municipal libraries with collections of hundreds of thousands or millions. However, considering its position as the "first city at the extreme frontier" in a once-dreaded southwestern outpost of China, in a rural environment once considered impoverished and remote, in the atmosphere of a hometown of overseas Chinese, and in its origins in the 1920s, and amidst the vicissitudes of history, we should at least conclude that the Heshun Library is the world's first unparalleled library in rural China.
It is worth a visit to understand the history and culture of Heshun
The library sits quietly in the ancient town of Heshun. Perhaps the young people in the family are busy attracting customers, so the people who frequent it are mostly elderly people in their sixties. In this increasingly commercialized town, this may be the only spiritual sanctuary!
It seems that Heshun is the only city in China that regards library as an important part of publicity.
In Heshun Ancient Town, you can go and see it once you enter
A place with a long history, very quiet, with lush trees outside the door, which is very touching.
Tengchong Heshun Ancient Town is a hometown of overseas Chinese. The Tengchong Heshun Library boasts the longest history and richest collection of rural libraries in China. It's housed in a beautifully carved and painted ancient building at the entrance of Heshun Village. It's small, so I finished reading quickly.
Heshun Library, one of China's largest rural libraries, was founded in 1924 with funds raised by overseas Chinese. Built in a traditional Chinese building with a front garden, it boasts an elegant and beautiful design. The library houses over 10,000 books, many of which are particularly valuable. The library's predecessors were the Xianxin Society, founded by Cun Fuqing, a member of the Heshun Tongmenghui in the late Qing Dynasty, and the Yueshu Baoshe, established in 1924. With donations from overseas Chinese and fellow villagers, the library was expanded into a library in 1928, and the new building was completed in 1938. Currently, the library boasts a collection of over 70,000 books, including over 10,000 ancient and rare volumes, bearing inscriptions by cultural figures such as Hu Shi, Xiong Qinglai, Liao Chengzhi, and Li Shizeng.
For my first two nights in Tengchong, I chose to stay in Heshun Ancient Town, a famous scenic spot in its own right, making it convenient for sightseeing. The Heshun Library is located within the town, about a five-minute walk from the inn. Heshun Library boasts the largest collection of books in the country, and every morning, local elders come here to read books and newspapers. Library access requires a library card.
Heshun Library reflects Heshun Town’s tradition of respecting reading.
It's a quiet, rare place, but of course I didn't sit down and read a book.
The Heshun Library, which has a plaque inscribed by Mr. Hu Shi, is said to still be open to the public for borrowing and reading. However, the large number of picture albums for sale piled up at the door and the "No Visitors Allowed" signs placed on both sides of the stairs stopped me, a fake reader who came from afar, from entering the door, and I couldn't help feeling a little regretful.
The library is at the entrance to the ancient town. Climbing the steps, sunlight streams through the leaves outside the window, leaving dappled patterns. Old-fashioned newspaper folders are neatly arranged on the table. The young women in the scenic area are all dressed in student uniforms from the May Fourth Movement era, instantly transporting visitors back to the Republican era.
It's a very quiet place. The last time I saw these chairs and newspaper holders was before the Shanghai Library's renovation. Plus, the girls in the area are all wearing light blue student uniforms from the Republican era. Doesn't it feel like time travel?
This is China's first rural library, and the building itself is beautiful. You can go up to the second floor to admire the architecture. Inside, there are several desks, a book teller's window, and even a newspaper rack. The furniture and flooring are all made of wood, giving it an antique feel. I even secretly stamped a postcard with the date from the teller's desk, feeling incredibly happy!
When visiting Heshun Ancient Town in Tengchong, walk straight through the main gate and you'll find the Heshun Library, one of China's largest rural libraries. Founded in 1924 with funds raised by overseas Chinese, it boasts a collection of over ten thousand books, with ancient texts being the most valuable. The library boasts traditional Chinese architectural design, with a beautiful and elegant garden in front. Heshun Library is a must-see and highly recommended destination for any visitor to Heshun Township.
The library retains a cultural atmosphere and is very tasteful
Once you enter Heshun, all of these are free to visit.
It is admirable that a village library can be preserved in such a good condition and has such a large scale.
It looks very old, reminiscent of scenes from TV dramas from the 1940s and 1950s. The small drawer for the book index cards is in the middle, making you want to flip through it.
When I went there, there were people reading newspapers inside, so it seemed practical. Although compared to a large library, it seems more like a reading room, but considering its location and the people it serves, it is quite good.
It is an important part of Heshun Ancient Town.
The Heshun Library is worth visiting for its historical significance. The building itself may not be particularly impressive, but it's truly astonishing that a library of this size existed in this remote southwestern town during such a turbulent era. I also bought a book in the library, "Traveling in Heshun," by Mr. Wang Dasan. It's been a great help in understanding Heshun.
The library is a traditional Chinese building with a front garden, beautiful and elegant. Ascending the stairs, you'll find the main gate, the middle gate, the garden, and then the library building, the Cangzhen Building, and Jingshan Garden.
Heshun Library is one of the largest rural libraries in China.
There are two wintersweets, one red and one yellow, on either side of the library courtyard. This elegant and simple courtyard allows people to put aside all distractions and concentrate on reading.
Heshun Library, the largest rural library in China, is great.
This is an old library, which seems to have been built in the Ming Dynasty. The fact that there is a library of Han culture in such a remote place demonstrates Tengchong’s strong sense of belonging to the motherland.
The Heshun Library, steeped in scholarly culture, boasts a small courtyard that blends Western and ancient attic architectural styles. Set against the backdrop of white plum blossoms and cypress trees, it exudes a refined literary charm. The plaque that reads "Heshun Library" was inscribed by Hu Shi, a truly impressive sight.
Located beside Shuanghong Bridge is Heshun Library, China's largest township library. Establishing the library and transporting its collection of books was a monumental undertaking given the limited transportation available at the time. This demonstrates the Heshun people's belief that "wealth fosters a deeper appreciation of etiquette."
I fell in love with this library the first time I saw it online. I love its old, rustic feel. It's exactly what a library should be like.
This is Heshun's most famous spot: the Heshun Library, China's largest rural library, funded by overseas Chinese. Historically, the Xianxinshe (Hanxian Xinshe) was established here. The retro Republican-era architecture evokes a sense of time travel, a feeling of stepping through a door and falling in love with a town. Even just sitting quietly here for an afternoon, reading a book or newspaper, and wandering through a sea of knowledge feels like a luxury for those of us accustomed to the fast pace of modern life.
Heshun Library is the largest rural library in China.
The library is a traditional Chinese building with a front garden, beautiful and elegant. Ascending the stairs, you'll see the main gate, the middle gate, the garden, and then the library building, the Cangzhen Building, and Jingshan Garden.
The quaint Heshun Library has newspapers of the day on the table. It feels a bit like traveling through time... but it's not bad.
It's one of the largest rural libraries in China, and the building has a rather Western-style feel. Book lending seems to be limited to villagers, not tourists.
It's quite famous. The village funded its construction so that the villagers could read and study more in their free time, not slacking off. Walking in, you'll see a row of neatly arranged newspapers.
The first thing that catches your eye is the Heshun Library, which is said to be one of the largest rural libraries in China. It’s quite good.
Recommended to see:
Nearly a hundred years of history,
The most famous rural library in China,
The collection has 80,000 books;
Remember: knowledge is power.
After wandering around for a while, I was lucky enough to join a tour group and visit Wenchang Palace and the library. I was so happy. The library is a beautiful two-story building that combines Chinese and Western architectural styles. The iron lock on the main gate is said to have been brought back from England and has been used for over a hundred years.
Unfortunately, our good luck didn't last long. After just over ten minutes, we were stopped at the entrance of Heshun Alley. We couldn't get in without a ticket. Thinking that it would be a shame not to go and have a look since we had come all the way here, we went back to the door to buy tickets.
Entering the "scenic area," you'll see a bustling crowd of tour groups gathering at the gate. Despite being cordoned off by the development company and collecting entrance fees, the visitors remain enthusiastic. Inside, a plaque inscribed by Mr. Hu Shih vividly depicts the rich heritage of this place.
When I walked into the Heshun Library, I couldn't help but start to observe every detail carefully. Because of Heshun's special population composition, it has become another representative of the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures at home and abroad.
The Heshun Ancient Town entrance fee of 80 yuan is the only thing worth seeing, the Heshun Library. The rest of the attractions are just for show. The entire library building is very distinctive with its overhanging eaves and corners. The environment is quiet and the building is gorgeous. The environment is very elegant and perfect for reading. The library has an ancient and quaint feeling. It's hard to believe that this is actually a rural library. You can also borrow books with a library card. People living here are really blessed.
Heshun Library is known as "the best library in China's rural cultural circles". There are still many rare copies of ancient documents. Reading newspapers every day is a recreational activity for the villagers.
Heshun Library, China's largest rural library... I randomly opened a drawer and pulled out a card. The borrower, end time, book number, and everything else were clearly written. It reminded me of my middle school days when I went to the library to help teachers. I have fond memories of those little cards, hahahaha~
Heshun Library, founded in 1924 with funds raised by local overseas Chinese and gentry, officially opened in 1928. It is one of the oldest and largest existing rural libraries in China. As a model for rural cultural education in China, the library bears witness to Heshun's tradition of respecting literature and education, earning it the title "China's First Rural Library." Its establishment is closely tied to Heshun's status as a renowned overseas Chinese community, where the support and open-mindedness of overseas Chinese fueled the creation of this cultural institution. The library's architecture blends traditional Chinese and Southeast Asian influences, encompassing a main gate, garden, main building, and library. The main building is a five-bay timber structure, while the library is a two-story brick and wood structure, a fusion of Chinese and Western styles. Modeled after the gate of Soochow University in Suzhou, the entrance features a plaque inscribed by Hu Shih, "Heshun Library." The library houses ancient books, local documents, and historical materials on overseas Chinese, while the building retains bookshelves and reading facilities from the Republican era. The library exhibits valuable artifacts donated by early overseas Chinese, including English typewriters and old telephones.