Heshun Library in Tengchong County, Baoshan

Chinese Name: 和顺图书馆
English Name: Heshun Library in Tengchong County, Baoshan

Located in Heshun Township, Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, at the southern end of the centuries-old "Tea-Horse Trade Route" that borders Myanmar, Heshun is an ancient town with a history of over 600 years. It is recognized as one of the ten most charming ancient towns in China, and is home to many famous merchants and intellectuals. While its history is impressive, the town's pride lies in its library, the first and largest village library in China.

The Birth and Legacy of Heshun Library

Heshun Library is situated beside the river that flows through the town. Built in 1928 from stone and wood, it resembles a college campus with a dooryard. The library offers books, magazines, and newspapers in six reading rooms for the locals free of charge.

The library boasts a collection of approximately 80,000 books, with about 10,000 rare and ancient volumes. Most of the collection is focused on subjects relevant to daily life, such as farming. This makes it an invaluable resource for the community.

The Unique Origin of the Library

Unlike most urban libraries, Heshun Library was funded by local merchants and overseas Chinese from Heshun who had settled in Myanmar. These expatriates subscribed to newspapers and magazines to stay informed about domestic and international affairs.

Transportation in the past was extremely difficult. If books were to be transported from Shanghai by land, it could take up to two months. Books were first shipped to Myanmar and then transported by horse-drawn carts to Heshun, a journey that could take another two weeks.

Personal Connection to the Library

Liu Fuqing, a 58-year-old businessman, shared his strong connection to the library: “I like our library very much. I came here when I was small. It’s a holy place for me to study. Though I work in the county, I come here every day to read newspapers and books. I was born and grew up here, and I can’t live without the library.”

Famous Visitors

Over the years, renowned scholars have visited Heshun Library, including Hu Shi (1891-1962), a distinguished modern Chinese scholar, poet, historian, and former president of Peking University.

The Architectural Style and Location

Heshun Library is located in the picturesque Heshun Township, near the famous Shuanghong Bridge. The library occupies 1,392 square meters and features a blend of traditional Chinese and Western architectural styles. The main entrance is a traditional Chinese archway, built during the late Qing Dynasty, with a plaque bearing the name "Heshun Library" inscribed by Zhang Lishu, a scholar from the Qing Dynasty.

Once inside the library, visitors pass through a beautiful garden, where flowers and plants are meticulously arranged. The main building is a two-story wooden structure, with two half-six-sided pavilions on the sides. The design is unique and elegant, with Western-style windows and doors. Behind the main building is the book storage hall.

In Heshun, you can see farmers who work in the fields during the day come to the library in the evening to read under the light, and young people browsing the internet in the electronic reading room. This transformation is a testament to the development of the library.

A Rich History of Cultural Development

The Early Roots of Heshun Library

In the late Qing Dynasty, following the Boxer Rebellion, new intellectual trends began to spread across China. Influenced by this, local intellectuals and overseas Chinese, including Liu Fuqing, founded the "Xianxin Society" (咸新社) in 1905 in Heshun. This organization aimed to bring new knowledge and ideas to the locals by providing books for public reading. It was the first attempt in this remote town to establish a public library.

Expansion into a Library

In the early years of the Republic of China, overseas Chinese youth in Myanmar, such as Cun Zhongtai, Li Qingyuan, and Jia Zhusheng, organized the "Youth Association" in 1924, with the goal of developing the local culture. The association eventually established the "Reading and Newspaper Association," subscribing to books and magazines from Shanghai.

Due to the poor transportation conditions, books would often arrive outdated and used. They were sent via ship to Myanmar and then transported by horse-drawn caravans along the ancient Southwest Silk Road to Heshun. The establishment of this association was greatly appreciated by the locals.

The Transformation into a Formal Library

In 1928, the "Reading and Newspaper Association" was expanded into Heshun Library, with the support of both local and overseas Chinese donations. The library’s collection grew to include rare and valuable books, such as the "Twenty-Four Histories" and "Yunnan Gazetteer," among others. Many of these books were donated by individuals and families, making the library’s collection both a cultural treasure and a symbol of community spirit.

The New Library and Cultural Revival

In 1938, the library was expanded into a larger, more modern building. This new structure, a two-story building with a mix of Chinese and Western architectural styles, included a spacious garden and a wide archway with the inscription "Cultural Confluence" (文化之津) carved into it.

In 1994, the library was designated as a "Key Cultural Heritage Site" by the provincial government. Four years later, during the library’s 70th anniversary, a new building, known as the "Treasure Hall" (藏珍楼), was constructed with donations from overseas Chinese communities. This hall houses the library’s most valuable collections.

Modernization and Digitalization

Today, Heshun Library has expanded its services to include an electronic reading room, attracting many middle-aged people and students. The library now offers access to digital resources, allowing younger generations to explore the world through technology. As the largest village library in China, it has entered the digital age, offering both traditional knowledge and modern tools to its visitors.

Heshun Library is a cultural gem, symbolizing the resilience of rural communities and the transformative power of education. With its rich history, unique architectural design, and ongoing modernization, it continues to be a key educational and cultural institution for both locals and visitors.