Shanghai Library: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Guide to Shanghai Historical Sites
What the Shanghai Library Is
In the heart of China’s largest metropolis, the Shanghai Library is a major public library and a center for scholarship, culture, and public access to knowledge. Its collections, services, and branches serve researchers, travelers, and local residents.
History
Established in 1952 through the consolidation of municipal and private libraries, the Shanghai Library was founded amid a national effort to preserve literary heritage and promote education. It became China’s second-largest public library after the National Library in Beijing (Wikipedia).
An important part of the consolidation was the historic Xujiahui Library (Bibliotheca Zi-Ka-Wei), founded in 1847 by French Jesuits. It brought rare Western and Chinese books and a legacy of cross-cultural scholarship (Academia.edu).
The library was designated a national library center in 1957 and has played a central role in developing digital libraries in China (Wikipedia). Its preservation work includes restoring ancient calligraphy, documenting traditional crafts, and supporting local customs and intangible heritage (Shanghai Government).
Recent additions include the Ba Jin Library, devoted to the famed writer, and the Shanghai Literary Museum in Yihong Garden (Shanghai Government).
What to See
Main Library
Completed in 1996 in Xuhui District, the main building is a 24-story, 106-meter structure and one of the world’s tallest library buildings (Wikipedia). Its modernist architecture combines tradition and innovation, and the building is an urban landmark (Adventure Backpack).
Collections and cultural work
The library’s collection exceeds 58 million items, including:
- More than 1.7 million ancient documents, some dating back 1,500 years
- 25,000 titles in rare ancient books, comprising 178,000 volumes
- Nearly 1 million foreign-language volumes
- Extensive genealogical and local-history archives
Its holdings include collections from the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, the Shanghai Municipal Council, and the Haiguang Library (Sixth Tone). Digitization projects extend access to rare materials worldwide (Academia.edu). The library also hosts rotating exhibitions on literature, art, and science, as well as lectures, workshops, and family-friendly programs.
Shanghai Library East
Located in Pudong, Shanghai Library East was designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects. Its “floating” structure and glass façade evoke a scholar’s rock, symbolizing tradition and vision (archdaily.com). The 115,000-square-meter complex includes:
- A luminous central atrium, outdoor reading terraces, and panoramic city views
- A 1,200-seat theater, event spaces, and a dedicated children’s pavilion
- Multimedia rooms, interactive displays, and other digital infrastructure
- Barrier-free design, including ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms
- A bookstore, café, and public art installations (uapcompany.com)
Practical Visiting Information
Hours and admission
- Main Library, Xuhui District Tuesday–Sunday, 8:30 AM–9:00 PM; closed Mondays except public holidays (LTL Shanghai).
- Shanghai Library East, Pudong Daily, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM; closed on select public holidays (archdaily.com).
Admission is free at both locations. Special exhibitions and events may require advance tickets or reservations. Check the official website for holiday closures, event information, and tour bookings.
Addresses and transport
- Main Library 1555 Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai. Take Metro Line 10 to Shanghai Library Station, Exits 2 or 3.
- Shanghai Library East Take Metro Line 7 to Huamu Road Station, Exit 2, in Pudong.
Tours, reader’s cards, and borrowing
Guided tours are available by appointment, in Chinese and occasionally English. To borrow books or access certain areas, apply for a reader’s card:
- Foreign visitors should bring a passport to the registration desk.
- Choose a basic card for reading only or a borrowing card, with a 100 yuan deposit; the deposit for reference books is 1,000 yuan (City News Service).
- An electronic card is available through a WeChat mini-program and requires a Chinese phone number.
- Borrow up to 15 books for 28 days, with one renewal. Reference books must be returned to the original venue.
Facilities and services
Facilities include naturally lit reading rooms, free Wi-Fi, device-charging stations, lockers, printing, copying and scanning services (fees apply), a bookstore, and a café. Information desks have English-speaking staff. The library provides barrier-free access throughout.
Tips
- Security checks take place at the entrance; large bags should be stored in lockers.
- Silence is observed in study areas, and mobile phones should be set to silent.
- Food and drink are allowed only in designated areas.
- Photography is restricted in reading rooms and special collections.
- Wheelchair access, clear signage, and staff assistance are available.
- For current exhibitions and programs, consult the event calendar.
Nearby Places
Near the main library, Xuhui-area destinations include:
- Xujiahui Cathedral An iconic neo-Gothic church
- Shanghai Botanical Garden Landscaped grounds for a peaceful stroll
- Former French Concession A historic district with colonial architecture and trendy cafés
- Tianzifang An art district
- Fuxing Park A popular green space for leisure
Other nearby attractions include Century Park, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, and Lujiazui District. More Shanghai attractions are listed by Chinadiscovery.
