Jiaye Library, Private library in Nanxun District, China
Jiaye Library is a private library in Nanxun District with classical Chinese architecture located next to Lesser Lotus Manor. The building contains several pavilions and corridors that house a large collection of rare prints and historical documents.
Liu Chenggan from a wealthy banking family established it in the 1920s to house his collection of rare publications spanning different Chinese dynasties. The building emerged during a period when private scholars and collectors sought to preserve important cultural works.
The name comes from the Liu family who built and maintained it. The rooms show how wealthy collectors of that era displayed and used their rare book collections.
You can visit during regular opening hours, with access included through a ticket to the Nanxun Ancient Town complex. It helps to allow time for exploring the various rooms and collections, as the layout is spread across multiple spaces.
The collection contains some 150,000 woodcut plates and preserves sections of the Yongle Encyclopedia along with drafts of the imperial Siku Quanshu compilation. These materials are among the few examples where both works are found under one roof.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
