Shanghai, a city steeped in the fragrance of books, has been graced by the presence of many literary giants.
Did you know that Shanghai is home to several renowned “celebrity studies”?
These spaces are not only rich in cultural connotations and visually appealing but also serve as high-quality reading spaces, waiting for you to explore with a tranquil mind.
Ba Jin’s Study
2024 marks the 120th anniversary of Ba Jin’s birth. The Xuhui District Cultural and Tourism Bureau, in collaboration with Ba Jin’s former residence, has created a themed reading area called “Ba Jin’s Study” on the second floor of Xujiahui Academy’s Wenmai Light Box Space.
At the entrance of the themed reading area stands a statue of Ba Jin sculpted by Soviet sculptor Selikhanov in 1957, vividly portraying the middle-aged Ba Jin deep in thought.
The “Ba Jin’s Study” themed reading area revolves around Ba Jin’s classic work “Family” and his home located in Xuhui. It showcases facsimiles of the only two surviving pages of Ba Jin’s manuscript when he was writing “Family.”
For the first time, readers can also view a collection of 30 Chinese editions, including versions in Braille and minority languages, as well as 32 foreign language editions of “Family.”
Address: 2nd Floor, Xujiahui Academy, 158 Caoxi North Road, Xuhui District
Cao Ying’s Study
Cao Ying’s Study is a small Spanish-style building with a gently sloping red barrel-tiled roof and bright-colored exterior walls.
The arched portico, wrought iron doors and windows, and mosaic floor tiles are all key features of Spanish-style architecture. Currently, the first floor of the building serves as the exhibition hall for Cao Ying’s Study.
Cao Ying’s Study is divided into three themed sections: “Humanistic Enlightenment,” “Bridge between China and Russia,” and “The Way of Translation,” showcasing his tireless pursuit throughout his translation career.
The study not only houses his lifelong collection of books and recreates the scene of his study, displaying his translation achievements but also, more importantly, inherits Cao Ying’s professional spirit by establishing a platform for exchanging Chinese and foreign ideas and translation studies.
Address: Building 3, 178 Wulumuqi South Road, Xuhui District
Lu Xun’s Book Repository
Recently, Lu Xun’s Book Repository reopened to the public in the form of a “Digital Living Room” after renovations.
The digital living room of Lu Xun’s Book Repository is located adjacent to the renovated old site of Lu Xun’s Book Repository. It is divided into two floors, and with the empowerment of digital technology, it has been transformed into a multifunctional cultural exchange space integrating leisure, reading, and study tours.
Address: 1367 Liyang Road, Hongkou District
Fu Lei Library
Fu Lei Library is the only Fu Lei-themed library in China and the first cultural celebrity library in Shanghai.
The creative designs inside the library, such as the longest reading table and the reading staircase, have gained high popularity on the internet and have been praised by readers as “ingenious.”
Address: 800 Shenmei East Road, Pudong New Area
Ye Xin Gaoqiao Study
Named after Ye Xin, the vice-chairman of the China Writers Association and a renowned writer, Ye Xin Gaoqiao Study is both a microcosm of Ye Xin’s literary career and a symbol of the rural cultural project, as well as Gaoqiao Town’s unique expression and protection of ancient town culture.
Ye Xin Gaoqiao Study is divided into three functional areas, displaying Ye Xin’s literary works of different stages, styles, and various photographs from different periods.
Address: 1-3, Lane 173, West Street, Gaoqiao Town, Pudong New Area
