Zhongyuan Library

Zhongyuan Library

Zhongyuan Library is a Guangzhou municipal cultural relics protection unit.

Zhongyuan Library is located on Zhenhai Road, Yuexiu Mountain, Yuexiu Park, Jiefang North Road, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province. It was built in memory of Deng Zhongyuan, a general of the Xinhai Revolution. Covering an area of 253 square meters, the library was completed in 1930.

Proposed in 1927 by Li Jishen, a veteran leader of the Kuomintang, and designed by architect Yang Xizong, the library's style imitates the Wenhua Hall in Beijing. Its foundation was laid in the 18th year of the Republic of China (1929), and it was completed the following year. Facing south, the building covers a site area of 253 square meters, with a total area of 7,600 square meters. Constructed with reinforced concrete, it is magnificent and elegant, featuring national characteristics. The gatehouse is built in front of a small hill at the front, with columns made of polished blue bricks, and the iron door and column tops showcase the fusion of Chinese and Western architectural styles.

The main building has a total width of 41 meters, a depth of 22 meters, and a construction area of 2,241 square meters. It is two stories high with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof covered in green glazed tiles. The walls are built with polished blue bricks, and the wall bases are made of granite. Cement is used to mimic wooden brackets and upturned eaves, while painted ceramic tiles are applied to the lintels and spandrels. The door frame is decorated with carved patterns, and the surrounding corridor features tall water-washed stone columns. The platform base imitates Qing Dynasty palace-style railings with exquisitely carved designs. Inside the front entrance, there are spiral staircases on both sides leading directly to the inner third floor, and there is also a staircase inside the building that leads to the second and third floors. The rear half of the first floor includes a basement.

Since its completion, the library has never been officially opened to the public. In 1946, the Guangdong Provincial Art Specialized School used the old site as its campus from August of that year to June of the following year. In the early years of the People’s Republic of China, the old site served as the Guangzhou Museum. In 1953, the museum moved to Zhenhai Tower, and the old site was turned into a natural history exhibition room. In 1957, the Guangzhou Art Museum was established, using this building as its location, and a new art gallery was built behind the main structure. In 1990, a surrounding stele corridor was constructed at the front, inlaying stone tablets engraved with calligraphy collections copied from Haishan Xian Guan. Small exhibition rooms were also built on either side of the pool in front of the building, and one three-dimensional art sculpture was erected each in front of the pool and on the small hill.

In July 2002, it was announced by the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government as part of the sixth batch of Guangzhou municipal cultural relics protection units.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Guangzhou Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units