Hanmou Library

　　Introduction        Situated on Baoyue Platform in Duanzhou District, the site is part of Zhaoqing’s Eight Scenic Spots known as “Baoyue Lotus Fragrance.” As early as the Song Dynasty, Bao Zheng, who served as the prefect of Duanzhou, established Xingyan Academy here. The predecessor of Hanmou Library was the “Zhonglv Hall” of Xingyan Academy. During the Qing Dynasty, Xingyan Academy was converted into Bao Gong Ancestral Hall, then later into Kuixing Tower. By the early Republic of China, it had collapsed due to years of neglect.

　　     In 1917, Chen Zhuling, an overseas Chinese from Singapore, donated funds to rebuild Kuixing Tower. In 1935, Yu Hanmou, a native of Zhaoqing and a senior military officer, funded its renovation and donated a collection of ancient books, after which it was renamed “Hanmou Library.” The two-story building features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof covered in green glazed tiles, with a brick-and-wood structure. It covers a total area of 400 square meters and is surrounded by a circular colonnade. Facing Baoyue Lake, the library enjoys a serene environment, making it an ideal place for reading.   

　　 Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province