Nanjing Library
China's third-largest library and a landmark of modern reading
No. 189 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Nanjing Library (Nanjing Tushuguan) is one of China's most important public libraries and the third-largest in the country by collection size, with a history stretching back over a century to its founding in 1907 as the Jiangnan Library. The current building on Changjiang Road is a striking contemporary landmark — a vast, light-filled complex with a distinctive roofline and open reading halls that welcome both serious researchers and casual visitors. Its holdings include rare books, Republican-era publications, Jiangnan local histories, and a broad general collection, making it a cultural anchor in central Nanjing.
Admission to the main public areas is free, though access to specialized reading rooms may require a library card. The library is typically open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, with extended evening hours in some public reading areas. It is closed on Mondays.
Details
Architecture and Spaces
The library's main building is among the most architecturally distinctive public structures in Nanjing, combining a monumental stone-clad base with sweeping glass walls and a dramatically overhanging roof. Inside, the atrium reading hall is the showpiece — a vast, column-free space filled with natural light and lined with open stacks. Smaller specialized reading rooms, exhibition spaces, and digital resource areas occupy the upper floors, while the lower levels house the library's conservation labs and storage vaults.
Collections
The library holds more than 12 million items, including one of China's finest collections of rare books and manuscripts from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Its Republican-era materials are particularly strong, documenting Nanjing's period as national capital through newspapers, official gazettes, and period books. The Jiangnan and local history sections cover the cultural and economic history of the lower Yangtze region, while the general lending collection serves everyday readers across all subjects.
Visiting as a Tourist
Even those not conducting research will find the library worth a brief visit for its architecture and calm atmosphere. The ground-floor public areas and exhibition spaces are accessible without a card, and the building provides a quiet refuge from the busy Xinjiekou commercial district nearby. Occasional exhibitions of rare books, calligraphy, and local history are held in the lobby galleries and are free to the public.
Getting There
Address: No. 189 Changjiang Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
**Daxinggong Station** on Line 2 and Line 3 is the nearest subway stop, a short walk west along Changjiang Road. The library is also within walking distance of Xinjiekou and the Presidential Palace, making it easy to combine with a central Nanjing itinerary.
Nanjing Library
China's third-largest library and a landmark of modern reading