707 Libraries of China
Documenting every designated city through its most remarkable reading spaces, updated weekly
China’s Libraries: Silent Storytellers of Urban Life
(A companion to China in 5’s city deep dives)
Every city has its landmarks, skyscrapers that scrape the heavens, bustling markets, ancient temples. But to truly understand a place, visit its libraries: the quiet custodians of a city’s intellect, creativity, and communal spirit.
As part of our mission to explore all 707 designated Chinese cities, this running feature will spotlight one extraordinary library per city; each chosen to reveal something unexpected about its home.
Updated every Monday alongside our city deep dives, these snapshots will form a living atlas of China’s literary landscapes, from provincial giants to neighborhood hideaways where time moves at the pace of a turning page.
This week, we turn to Xiong'an New Area Library, where self-checkout robots and paper-thin e-readers offer a glimpse into China's 'city of the future' through its most unexpected lens: public literacy. Look out for the Xiong’an New Area Library this Coming Monday…..
Library 1/707. Feidong County Library
Hefei • Read Hefei Article: Here
📍 Feidong County Government Cultural Center, Hefei
📅 Established 1958 (Children's Wing Opened 2021)
This county level library may not match the scale of Anhui Provincial Library, but its children's wing is a hidden gem worth featuring. Designed with young readers in mind, the space bursts with clever touches: cozy reading nooks shaped like storybook houses, vibrant murals of local landscapes, and interactive storytelling corners. The room's thoughtful layout, from low wooden shelves to eye protecting lighting, creates a welcoming atmosphere that makes children genuinely excited to read.
What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in charm and community spirit, hosting regular storytelling sessions where kids sprawl across mushroom-shaped stools. The real magic lies in how it transforms reading from obligation to adventure. The Feidong County Library has over 270,000 books creating a very good reading experience for both adults and the young ones.
Library in Feidong County, Hefei | Workers Daily
With its vibrant children’s corner and well-stocked shelves, this library proves that big literary adventures can thrive in even the coziest spaces.
Did this library inspire you? Check out a coffee for this librarian!