Jiayetang Library

嘉业堂藏书楼

The Jiayetang Library was built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, the grandson of Liu Yong. It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jiaye" presented by Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty.
One of the three largest private libraries in China, it faces Xiaolianzhuang across the river and is connected by a small bridge. The environment is quite good.
This is a two-story building with a corridor, consisting of seven rooms, two entrances and left and right wing rooms. It has a total of 52 library rooms and a collection of about 110,000 books.
Jiaye Library is the most historically valuable place in Nanxun Ancient Town. The library is well preserved and should not be missed.

Introduction

  • Attraction Location: Nanxun Ancient Town, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China (浙江省湖州市南浔古镇)

  • Nanxun Jiayetang Library is a historic private library located in the famous Nanxun Ancient Town, a water town known for its blend of Eastern and Western architecture. The library was established by the wealthy and scholarly Liu family in the late Qing Dynasty.
  • History: Founded in the 19th century, Jiayetang Library was built to house a large collection of rare books, manuscripts, and classical texts. It reflects the cultural and scholarly pursuits of Nanxun’s elite merchant families.
  • Architecture: The library combines traditional Chinese architecture with elegant Qing-style details. It features carved wooden shelves, tranquil courtyards, stone-paved paths, and intricate beams and pillars. The design emphasizes both functionality for reading and aesthetic harmony.
  • Cultural Value: Jiayetang Library represents the preservation of literary and historical heritage in Nanxun. It is an outstanding example of private libraries in southern China, showcasing the intellectual and cultural achievements of local merchant families.
  • Other Information: The library often holds small exhibitions of rare books and cultural artifacts. Visitors can enjoy the serene atmosphere and appreciate the rich historical context of Nanxun.

Visiting Information

  • Opening Hours: 09:00–17:00

  • Ticket Price: ¥40 per adult
    ¥20 per student/senior
  • Best Photo Spots: Main hall with antique bookcases, central courtyard, carved wooden beams, quiet reading areas.
  • Time Reference: Allow 1–1.5 hours for a full visit to appreciate both architecture and book collections.
  • Other Info: Guided tours are available, mostly in Chinese. Photography may be restricted in certain areas to protect rare books.

Where to Sleep (Nearby Hotels & Stays)

  • Luxury: Nanxun Garden Hotel (南浔花园酒店)
    Mid-range: Nanxun Luyuan Hotel (南浔绿苑酒店)
    Budget: Nanxun Youth Hostel (南浔青年旅舍)
    Boutique: Nanxun Ancient Town Courtyard Guesthouse (南浔古镇庭院客栈)

What & Where to Eat

  • Must-Try Dishes: Nanxun-style Sweet Tofu (南浔甜豆腐), River Fish Stew (江鱼炖菜), Local Water Town Noodles (水乡面)
    Famous Spots: Nanxun Old Street Snack Stalls (南浔老街小吃), Riverside Tea House (江边茶馆), Liu Family Restaurant (刘氏餐馆)

What Souvenirs to Buy

  • Miniature antique books, calligraphy scrolls, handmade fans, bamboo crafts, local tea, and Nanxun-style embroidery.

Transportation

  • By Car: Drive to Nanxun Ancient Town and park in the designated lot; library is walkable from main entrance.
    By Bus: Take local buses from Huzhou City to Nanxun Ancient Town Bus Stop, then walk 5–10 minutes to Jiayetang Library.
    By Taxi: Taxi from Huzhou city center to the library takes around 30–40 minutes.
    By Train: Huzhou Railway Station is 25 km away; take a taxi or bus to reach the library.

Nearby Attractions

  • Nanxun Ancient Town (南浔古镇) – 0.5 km, walkable
    Little Lotus Garden (小莲庄) – 1.2 km, walk or short taxi ride
    Former Residence of Zhang Shiming (张石铭故居) – 1.5 km, walk or taxi

Tips for Visitors

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets.
    Morning visits are less crowded.
    Photography may be restricted in rare book areas.
    Combine library visit with exploring Nanxun Ancient Town for full cultural immersion.
    Bring water and snacks; limited food facilities inside library.
    Respect quiet zones and cultural artifacts.

Recommended itineraries

  • D1: Morning: Nanxun Jiayetang Library (嘉业堂藏书楼)
    Lunch: Liu Family Restaurant (刘氏餐馆)
    Afternoon: Nanxun Ancient Town (南浔古镇)
    Evening: Riverside Tea House (江边茶馆)
  • D1: Cultural & Scenic Tour: Morning: Little Lotus Garden (小莲庄)
    Midday: Nanxun Jiayetang Library
    Afternoon: Former Residence of Zhang Shiming (张石铭故居)
    Evening: Explore Nanxun Old Streets
  • D1: Literature & Architecture Focus: Morning: Jiayetang Library
    Midday: Lunch nearby
    Afternoon: Walk around Nanxun courtyards and historic houses
    Evening: Return to boutique guesthouse for stay

User Reviews

By Dark Angel |

The Jiayetang Library is located on the banks of Queqiao Creek, east of the Liu family's private garden, Xiaolianzhuang. It was built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong. The building boasts a grand scale and rich collection of books, and features a garden-style layout that blends Chinese and Western elements. The building features a U-shaped corridor-style hall, and all wooden windows are carved with seal characters reading "Jiayetang Library." Outside, a vast garden, pond, and rockery surround the library, creating a setting within the garden. Walking along the lotus-shaped pond, you'll find rockery made of Taihu rocks, shaped like the twelve zodiac animals. Flanking the pond are the "Huanbi" and "Zhanhong" pavilions, which form a triangular formation with the "Mingse" pavilion on an isolated island in the middle. To the southwest stands the "Xiaoshi" (Walking Stone), over three meters high, one of the three remarkable rocks of Nanxun. The library, integrated into the garden, is renowned for its collection of ancient books and is one of the most renowned private libraries in modern China.

By hyacinth! |

The library is a two-story brick-and-wood structure with a corridor, combining Chinese and Western styles. It measures 16 feet wide from east to west and 159 feet deep from north to south. It has two front and back halls, each with seven rooms, and six wings on each side, for a total of 52 rooms. The upstairs is the "Xigu Building," while the window panes downstairs are decorated with the seal script "Jiayetang Library." The iron railings outside the corridor are decorated with floral patterns inscribed with the characters "Xigu."

By hyydr |

Jiayetang Library was built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong. The library is large in scale and has a rich collection of books. The original library and the garden were integrated into one. It is famous for its collection of ancient books and is one of the famous private libraries in modern China.

By Whistling Autumn Wind |

Highly recommended. Magnificent and magnificent, the small book and the large building reflect the heaviness of history.

By Fishing Alone in the Snowy River |

Jiayetang Library is a Chinese-style building, facing south. The five big characters "Jiaye Library" on the lintel of the gate were written by Liu Tingchen.

The four characters "Qin Ruo Jia Ye" are widely known due to the plaque inscribed with "Qin Ruo Jia Ye" bestowed by Emperor Puyi of the late Qing Dynasty, which is hung in the "Jia Ye Tang Library" in Xiaolianzhuang, Nanxun.

By Little dolphin |

Haha, what a sense of history! There are many very old books in it, you can go and have a look if you have nothing to do

By We are one family |

The library is next to the Little Lotus House, where there are many lotus flowers. Unfortunately, we came at the wrong time and missed the blooming of the lotus flowers, which should have been a very beautiful scene.

By Secluded mountain retreat |

The Jiayetang Library in Nanxun Ancient Town was built by the wealthy Liu family from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China. It houses some of the rarest and most valuable classics from China and the world. From Chinese Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism to Western texts like Geometry and the Quran, and from official classics to unofficial folk histories, the collection encompasses a wide range of topics.



Construction began on the Jiayetang Library in 1920 and, after four years of painstaking construction, officially opened in 1924. 1920 was the Gengshen Year, while 1924 was the Jiazi Year. The library's builders placed great emphasis on the use of Tai Sui. Zhejiang Province boasts the traditional Gengshen Classic, and the combination of Gengshen and Jiazi has been a deeply mystical and potent part of Wuyue culture for thousands of years. This private library was founded by Liu Chenggan, a wealthy merchant from Nanxun. At the time, it was considered the largest private library in China, and even today, it remains a significant private library. The library primarily housed the Four Books and Five Classics, the Thirteen Buddhist Classics, the Six Taoist Classics, and a collection of classic texts from various schools of thought. It is considered an extremely rare and valuable collection. The library's administrators at the time were highly educated and rigorous, meticulously examining textual differences. This ensures the integrity and authority of the entire canon. In addition, the printing of the books in Jiayetang Library was mainly completed by Xiling Seal Society on the edge of West Lake in Hangzhou. As for the origin of Jiayetang Library and Xiling Seal Society, those who are interested can go and learn more about it.

By Uzimi |

Jiaye Library is one of the five major attractions in Nanxun. It has many books, but it is not suitable for taking pictures.

By Han Fei Home |

The Jiaye Library is located in the northwest corner of Xiaolianzhuang. It was planned and built by the grandson of Liu Yong and named after the nine-dragon gold plaque "Qin Ruo Jiaye" presented by Puyi.

Besides being a prosperous region, Jiangsu and Zhejiang also boasted a brilliant collection of scholars and literati, such as the Qian family of Wuxi and the Cha family of Haining.

There are many places like Ningbo Tianyi Pavilion (http://www.mafengwo.cn/i/6757718.html) and Jiaye Tower.

This shows the prosperity of folk literary style.

By yan10 food research |

There is woodblock printing here, which is a good opportunity for children to get in touch with culture.

By Cherry meatballs, |

In front of the library stands a pond, with a pavilion beside it. Due to years of disrepair, the wooden pavilion appears somewhat desolate. Inside, the library is dotted with two-story buildings on all four sides, housing numerous bookshelves. Just a glance at the library reveals the master's talent and inspires a deep appreciation for the ancients' cherishment of books and their thirst for knowledge.

By Jenny |

The library itself is large, forming a large quadrangle courtyard. It is two stories high and includes a garden with a lotus pond, pavilions, and winding paths. The library is a famous attraction in Nanxun Ancient Town and is very close to Xiaolianzhuang, making it a great place to visit after visiting Xiaolianzhuang.

By Mars User |

Nothing much, just wandering around Xiaolianzhuang

By Gaigaichen |

Tianyi Pavilion in Ningbo, Wenlan Pavilion in Hangzhou, Jiaye Hall in Huzhou, and Yuhai Tower in Rui'an are renowned libraries in my country, collectively known as the "Four Great Libraries of Jiangnan." Built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong, they were named after the nine-dragon gold plaque "Qin Ruo Jiaye" (Qin Ruo Jiaye) presented by Qing Emperor Puyi. These libraries are grand in scale and boast rich collections, originally integrating the library and gardens. They are renowned for their collections of ancient books and are among the most renowned private libraries in modern China, designated as nationally protected cultural relics.

By Xiwei |

Walk slowly and look around slowly. It is a very pleasant and elegant place.

By Hard work |

After visiting this scenic spot, I was impressed by its special design of being surrounded by rivers on all sides; secondly, the third generation of the Liu family, who had a wealthy family and loved reading, but then their family fell into poverty and they donated the library to the Zhejiang Provincial Library.

By Yang Chenfu |

The Jiayetang Library is located on the banks of the Queqiao Creek in Nanxun Town, east of the Liu family's private garden, Xiaolianzhuang. The Jiayetang Library features a blend of Chinese and Western garden-style architecture, with a U-shaped corridor-style hall. All wooden windows are carved with the seal characters "Jiayetang Library." Outside, there are extensive gardens, ponds, and rockery. A staff member is checking tickets; it's packed.

By Han Yu 79 |

Jiayetang Library, located across the river from Xiaolianzhuang, was built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong. It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jiaye" presented by Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty.

By Yanggu Jun |

The Jiayetang Library is located on the banks of the Queqiao Creek in Nanxun Town, adjacent to the Liu family's private garden, Xiaolianzhuang, to the east. The Jiayetang Library features a blend of Chinese and Western garden-style architecture, with a U-shaped corridor-style hall. All wooden windows are carved with the seal characters "Jiayetang Library" (literally "Jiayetang Library") outside the building, which includes a large garden, pond, and rockery. After 1949, the Jiayetang Library became part of the Zhejiang Library.

By Travel cultural heritage |

As one of the four major library collections in Zhejiang, it is located in Xiaolianzhuang. You can see the owner's pursuit of spiritual civilization after becoming wealthy.

By Great Magician SS |

The library in the old town. In the Jiangnan region, the culture of reading is still quite popular.

By Clear spring flowing over the stone |

A unique garden and a building tell a story.

By Utoro |

The Jiayetang Library has a garden-style layout that combines Chinese and Western styles. It is a U-shaped corridor-style hall building. All the wooden windows are hollowed out and carved with the seal characters "Jiayetang Library". Outside the building are large gardens, ponds, and rockery.

The plaque inscribed by the emperor is a highlight of the library.

By Lily Lin |

Xiaolianzhuang and Jiayetang Library are actually connected.

This library was built in 1920 and was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the words "Qin Ruo Jia Ye" presented by Puyi. It is also one of the famous private libraries in modern times.

By Nanshan |

It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jia Ye" presented by the Qing Emperor Puyi. It is one of the famous private libraries in modern my country. Its founder was Liu Chenggan, the grandson of Liu Yong.

By -round ball- |

The books inside are probably all imitations. It would be nice if I could read them.

By dry skiing |

I am impressed by the collecting spirit of the owner of Jiayetang, who collects works not for profit or fame.

By Walking Teddy Bear |

There are many ancient books, all of which are printed books, many of them.

By Little Mango One Two One |

There are many books in the collection, and the place is not big, so you can just read history.

By Bitter Citrus aurantium is not bitter |

I didn't have high expectations before going, but the environment is truly amazing. The library is hidden in a garden with a pond and a pavilion next to it, surrounded by rockery. The three of us kids climbed up and down in the middle of winter, while my mom and aunt, high up in the pavilion, remarked on us girls being so naughty even when we're outside. Hahahaha~

By Shenma Farm |

Built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong (the original owner of Nanxun Xiaolianzhuang), it was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jiaye" (Qin Ruo Jiaye) presented by Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty. Renowned for its grand scale and extensive collection of ancient books, it is one of the three largest private libraries in China. It faces Xiaolianzhuang across the river and is connected by a small bridge.

By On the river bank |

The Jiayetang Library, adjacent to Xiaolianzhuang, is said to house nearly 10,000 books. Having weathered wars and storms, it has remained intact, seemingly blessed by our ancestors.

By Winter is over |

The Jiayetang Library was built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, the grandson of Liu Yong. It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jiaye" presented by the Qing Emperor Puyi. The library boasts a rich collection of ancient books and is renowned as one of the most renowned private libraries in modern China. After the Liberation Army, the original owner donated the library to the Zhejiang Library, where it now serves as a public library and tourist attraction.

By You are allowed to laugh, but you are not allowed to curse |

The Jiatang Library is next to the Xiaolian Villa. You can see the library opposite along the river when you come out of the Xiaolian Villa. The scenery inside is picturesque and really beautiful. There are many seats for tourists to rest, as well as rockery and lush plants.

By Shake. |

There are many precious books hidden in the library. It was built by Mr. Liu Chenggan at great expense. It contains many secret books and rare books from home and abroad.

By Do you have no clothes? |

A place full of humanistic feelings!

The library itself isn't particularly impressive, as there aren't many books left. Even if there were, we wouldn't be able to browse freely like we would in a library. Back when the owner of Jiaye Hall was still around, it was possible. Not only that, but food and drink are also included. Accommodation and travel expenses are also covered.

Even now, with all the books and woodblocks gone (many of them were sold reluctantly to maintain the operation of Jiaye Hall), the small garden attached to Jiaye Hall is still open to the public free of charge and serves as a place for locals to relax. If you are not interested in the library, you can still come here and sit and feel the tranquility of the sunlight shining through the leaves. :)

By A Ling |

Haha, there are words on each window, and when they are connected, it means Jiayetang Library. I like this kind of advertisement:-D

By Happy Little Li |

The Jiayetang Library, located across the river from Xiaolianzhuang, was built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, a grandson of Liu Yong. It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jiaye" (Qin Ruo Jiaye) presented by Qing Emperor Puyi. The library is grand in scale and boasts a rich collection of books. Originally integrated into the garden, the library is renowned for its collection of ancient books and is one of the most renowned private libraries in modern China. It is a nationally protected cultural relic.

By Angelia Cheung |

Walking inside, you will feel like you are in a school. The window grilles and corridor railings all have the word "Jiaye" inscribed on them. The architectural details reveal various exquisite details.

By as Four Fires |

Only by visiting Jiashan Building can you appreciate the wisdom of the ancients, their respect for books and knowledge, and their meticulous attention to engineering quality.

By Juntian |

Jiaye Hall is a famous library in my country and is well preserved.

By Fishing Tour |

It is the latest of China's traditional libraries, boasting the largest collection, the largest scale, and the most successful ending. It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque inscribed with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jia Ye" bestowed upon it by Emperor Xuantong of the Qing Dynasty, Puyi. The library is renowned not only for its collection of ancient books but also for its woodblock printing.

By touchen |

The garden seems to have been turned into a teahouse. There is also a garden at the entrance. The library is not big, just a garden and a building. You can't go upstairs, so you can go in for a walk and come out quickly.

By Vanilla Paradise 101 |

There's a typo on the plaque. The word "藏" (hidden).

Liu Chenggan, the owner of this courtyard, believed that there were endless books in the world, so he deliberately wrote a wrong character when writing the inscription to encourage future generations to read more.

By Feeling |

I admire the merchants of Nanxun for not only their business acumen but also their encouragement of learning for their descendants. Although the courtyard is not large, it has a combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles.

By Lazy little bunny |

It’s a great place for people who love books. For me, what I like is the sky I see in this frame, the blue sky, which makes me feel so happy instantly...

By Cat bones |

A library. The word "藏" on the plaque does not have the strokes on the left. It is said that the owner felt that there were too many books in the world to be collected, so he removed the strokes. It is a very grand building. The second floor is not allowed to go up. On the first floor, you can not only see rows of books, but also the staff working there.

By v528 |

There are many printed books, Chinese-style tables and chairs with Western-style ceiling lights, and the building is definitely a home of a scholarly family. The two small lotus ponds inside are also very beautiful.

By vg sleepy |

Many people have come here, especially book lovers, but now they just look at the books and don’t read them.

By Junjun's Cat |

At that time, each piece of board was a page of a book, which was really not easy.

The library has no walls, it is open. But it is protected by the river.

By LO card |

Before visiting Nanxun, it would be more interesting to learn about the history of Liu Yong's family and the history of the Zhang and Chen families during the Republic of China. Otherwise, it is no different from other ancient towns.

By Zhou Xiaomo |

In fact, it is just a very small building, but when you walk in and see so many books, you can't help but sigh.

By Islander Ally |

Next door is the Jiayetang Library, which houses a nine-dragon gold plaque inscribed with the words "Qin Ruo Jiaye" presented by Emperor Puyi.

By Mr. Mo |

Coming out of Xiaolianzhuang, next door is the Jiaye Library. The library was built by Liu Chenggan, the grandson of Liu Yong. It was named after the golden plaque "Qin Ruo Jiaye" presented by the Qing Emperor Puyi. It was once a private collection of books.

By Arita |

The Jiayetang Library was built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, the eldest grandson of Liu Yong. It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jia Ye" presented by the Qing Emperor Puyi.

Today, the library is left with only empty bookshelves and deserted engravings, which makes visitors sigh when they come here.

It is strange to say that the garden of the small lotus villa separated by a wall is full of withered lotus leaves, while the lotus flowers in the lotus pond in front of the library are in full bloom.

By Fragrant small durian |

In the library's collection room, each page is carved into a wooden board and preserved. Each room can store at most two books, with a total of 600,000 books...

By Dahong Sees the World |

Jiayetang Library, located across the river from Xiaolianzhuang, was built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong. It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jiaye" presented by Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty.

By Princess |

In the Jiayetang Library, every window grille is engraved with the name of Jiayetang. The attentiveness and care are truly pleasing.

By Mumu |

It is only separated from Xiaolianzhuang by a wall. Today, the library serves as the collection place of the ancient books collection of Zhejiang Library.

Jiaye Library is only separated from Xiaolianzhuang by a wall. Now the library is used as the collection place of ancient books of Zhejiang Library.

By Current M |

Adjacent to Xiaolianzhuang, it, like Xiaolianzhuang, was once owned by the Liu family. The rooms are filled with bookshelves, revealing the considerable scale of this two-story library. A plaque inscribed by a Qing Dynasty emperor hangs in the hall opposite the entrance, giving it a truly prestigious feel.

By adma |

The Jiayetang Library, built by Liu's descendants in a circular pattern and split into two floors, is said to have housed 110,000 volumes when the government took over, making it the largest private library at the time. I sincerely admire the Nanxun tycoons for not forgetting the joys of reading, and for creating a tranquil retreat in each of their former residences. While wandering through the various locations, I find my favorite is the Qingming Bookhouse in the "Liu's Staircase." Writing eloquently is easy, but being sober is difficult! These bookhouses, halls, and buildings stand stubbornly, leaving behind a legacy of pride, a legacy of righteousness, and a sense of magnanimity for future generations.

By nameless |

The Jiaye Library was built in 1920, purchasing 20 mu of land and spending 120,000 yuan. It was completed in 1924. It is a renowned private library in modern my country. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it became affiliated with the Zhejiang Library. In June 2001, it was designated a National Key Cultural Heritage Site.

By Enjoyment-Travel |

Jiaye Library: Built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong (the first owner of Xiaolianzhuang), it was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jiaye" presented by Qing Emperor Puyi. The library is renowned for its grand scale and vast collection of ancient books, making it one of the three largest private libraries in China. The five characters "Jiaye Library" (藏) on the door lintel were inscribed by calligrapher Liu Tingchen. The character "藏" (藏) was intentionally omitted by the owner, implying that despite his vast collection of books, the world's books were endless. He hoped that his descendants would continue to collect and read books, so he omitted a few strokes. This is the first time I've ever seen an original engraved edition of the collection.

By Who will listen when the string breaks? |

Jiaye Library is the private library with the richest collection of books in modern times. The owner's strong economic strength has enabled him to have the capital to collect books, and almost every wooden window in the building is engraved with Jiayetang Library.

By BH4TNE |

Next to Xiaolianzhuang is the Cangshulou (Book Collection Building). You can buy postcards at the ticket gate, featuring Nanxun's garden and traditional Chinese painting series. There are two other places in Nanxun where you can get stamps: the Cangshulou (Book Collection Building) and Qiunuli (Qiu Nuli).

By Fatty King is a devil |

I have a chilling feeling that this was originally the same garden, but was forcibly divided into two parts to collect entrance fees!

The owner of this library, Liu Chenggan, is Liu Yong's grandson. There are also many printing blocks in the library, which seem very valuable.

By candy |

Jiaye Library is right next to Xiaolianzhuang, the second most popular attraction in Nanxun Ancient Town. When I was there, it was completely booked! There were no other tourists there except me! My first impression of this building was that it was high-end and classy... It's called a library, but it actually has a large garden...

By Horrible roar |

Liu Yong's grandson preferred collecting books to business. As his home couldn't accommodate his collection, he invested heavily in building a library. He had long wondered why the character "藏" (zang) was a typo, but when he caught up with a tour guide at the gate, he realized that the emperor had deliberately omitted a portion of the character when he issued the plaque, implying that it was impossible to store all the books in the world.

By The wind continues to blow |

The Jiayetang Library was built in 1920 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong (the original owner of Xiaolianzhuang). It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jiaye" (Qin Ruo Jiaye) presented by Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty. Renowned for its grand scale and extensive collection of ancient books, it is one of the three largest private libraries in China.

By Meconopsis |

The place where Liu Chenggan kept his books was a little deserted in winter, but the sky was blue and the courtyard was large. I took a short walk around and encountered the Nanxun tour guide assessment inside. I eavesdropped on part of it. There was an old man instructing a young tour guide. The history of Nanxun was flashing in the old man's eyes. Over the past few hundred years, a prosperous ancient town has become indifferent today. These stories are not something that tourists can experience by just taking a walk around.

By ylxwb |

The Jiaye Library, owned by another descendant of the Liu family, contains original Tang and Song dynasty prints, but they have now been carbonized and cannot be identified or viewed.

By Twenty-nine v |

The five characters "Jiaye Cangshulou" (Jiaye Cangshulou) above the door were inscribed by calligrapher Liu Tingchen. The missing strokes of the character "藏" (zang) were intentional, not a typo. Liu Chenggan felt that despite his vast collection of books, there were still countless books in the world to be collected and read. He hoped that his descendants would continue to collect and read books, so he omitted a few strokes from the character.

By Wan Xiaonuo |

Entering Jiaye Hall from the small bridge over Partridge Creek, visitors are greeted by winding streams and lush trees. The library, nestled among towering ancient trees, boasts white walls and black tiles, a strikingly rustic aesthetic. The two-story building, a brick-and-wood structure with a "kou"-shaped corridor, features a blend of Chinese and Western styles. Between the two entrances lies a large, over 300-square-meter courtyard, dedicated to drying books. The 52 elegantly appointed rooms, located on both sides of the two floors, serve as storage for the library.

By Yan |

The Jiaye Library was built between 1920 and 1924 by Liu Chenggan, grandson of Liu Yong, one of the "Four Elephants." It was named after the nine-dragon gold plaque inscribed with the inscription "Qin Ruo Jiaye" by Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty. Its overall design blends Chinese and Western elements in a garden-like layout. At its peak, the library housed 600,000 volumes, totaling approximately 160,000 books, many of which were rare and valuable texts from home and abroad.


The attractions mentioned in the left itinerary


More attractions in Nanxun


Popular attractions in Zhejiang

Top attractions in Hangzhou

Top attractions in Jinhua

Top attractions in Lin'an

Top attractions in Lishui

Top attractions in Nanxun

Top attractions in Ningbo

Top attractions in Quzhou

Top attractions in Shaoxing

Top attractions in Shengsi

Top attractions in Taizhou

Top attractions in Wenzhou

Top attractions in WuZhen

Top attractions in XiTang

Top attractions in Zhoushan