Guangzhou Library
A city library shaped like a "beautiful book": its form like the Chinese character for sun resembles stacked volumes — one of the world's largest urban public libraries, with a collection topping 10 million volumes
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 09:00-20:30 (closed Wednesdays)
- Ticket
- Free
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
A city library shaped like a "beautiful book": its form like the Chinese character for sun resembles stacked volumes — one of the world's largest urban public libraries, holding more than 10 million items; the soaring full-height atrium is impressive, and studying at the library during exam season and on weekends has become a city cultural phenomenon. Free, closed Wednesdays; for travelers, the B1 exhibitions and the photo-worthy architecture are the practical draw, with Huacheng Square easy to visit along the way.
Getting there: Metro Line 3, Zhujiang New Town Station
Photos
More in Guangzhou
- Canton Tower
The 'slim waist' twisting tower with a ferris wheel on top.
- Shamian Island
European trading concession with neoclassical facades along the Pearl River.
- Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
Lingnan architecture masterpiece with brick, wood and lime carvings.
- Baiyun Mountain
The city's green lung; cable car views over Guangzhou.
- Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Chen Clan Academy)
A joint-clan ancestral hall and academy built 1888–1894 with funds pooled by Chen family clans from 72 counties of Guangdong, it is the largest and most lavishly decorated surviving ancestral-hall building in Lingnan: wood, brick and stone carving (the "three carvings"), ceramic and lime sculpture (the "two sculptures"), plus bronze and iron casting and colored painting, together known as the "…
- Yongqing Fang · Cantonese Opera Art Museum
A model of "micro-renewal" in the historic Enning Road district of Liwan (launched 2016): qilou arcade buildings and Xiguan mansions restored to their old look, now home to creative shops, cafes and intangible-heritage studios; the Bruce Lee ancestral home has a display in one of the alleys — old-street charm and youthful energy coexist.